GREENVILLE, S.C. – Furman volleyball and head coach Michelle Young unveiled its 2026 schedule today, hosting 12 teams at Timmons Arena this season.

Along with the 12 home matches, the Paladins will play 18 contests versus Southern Conference opponents including nine inside Timmons Arena.

"With the addition of Tennessee Tech and the move to a back-to-back conference schedule, our team will face new challenges that will require us to adapt and compete at a high level throughout the season," Young said. "Combined with a demanding non-conference schedule, our group will certainly be tested. We have a veteran team that is ready for that challenge, and every match on our schedule is designed to help us grow, compete under pressure, and prepare to be playing our best volleyball late in the season. Our goal is to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament, and we know we must be battle-tested and ready to perform at our highest level in the conference tournament to achieve that goal."

The Paladins will have a new place to call home in 2026 as they move back to Timmons Arena after spending over two decades at Alley Gymnasium. Furman initially played at Timmons Arena before moving to Alley Gymnasium prior to the 2005 season.

Timmons Arena underwent a $40 million, donor-funded renovation, prior to the 2025-26 season. While Young is appreciative of what Alley Gymnasium provided the Paladins for 21 seasons, Timmons Arena will the allow the program to develop and deliver a top-notch atmosphere for those attending a match in 2026.

"Competing in Timmons Arena is a tremendous opportunity for our program," added Young. "We are incredibly grateful for everything Alley Gym has meant to Furman Volleyball, as it has provided a special home and helped create the energetic environment and culture that have been central to our success. Volleyball continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports, and we are excited that Timmons gives us the opportunity to grow alongside it by creating an even bigger atmosphere for our student-athletes and fans. The visibility and experience that Timmons provides will help elevate our program, strengthen recruiting, and position Furman Volleyball for long-term success."

Furman gets the 2026 season underway with a pair of exhibition matches starting August 15 versus Winthrop in Charlotte, N.C. The Paladins close out the preseason on August 23 hosting UNC Asheville. The annual Purple-White Scrimmage is slated for August 22.

Furman will play a total of three tournaments prior to the conference slate beginning. The regular season opens August 28-29 when the Paladins travel to Athens, Ga., to face George Washington, North Florida, and Georgia in a tournament hosted by Georgia. Furman also heads to Buies Creek, N.C., September 11-12, for a two-day tournament hosted by Campbell where it will play Stetson, Ball State, and Campbell.

For the third consecutive year, the Paladins will host a tournament when they welcome Presbyterian, Queens (N.C.), and North Carolina A&T to Timmons Arena for the Furman Invitational.

The non-conference schedule concludes September 17-18 taking on Clemson and New Hampshire in Clemson, S.C.

Southern Conference play starts with Furman hitting the road for five of its first seven matches against Tennessee Tech (September 25-26), The Citadel (October 6), and Western Carolina (October 9-10). The Paladins also travel to East Tennessee State October 23-24. Home matches throughout the month include Chattanooga (October 1-2), Mercer (October 16-17), The Citadel (October 27), and UNC Greensboro (October 30-31).

Furman goes to Wofford November 6-7 before closing out the regular season November 12-13 hosting Samford.

The 2026 SoCon Volleyball Championship is slated for November 19-22 at Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, N.C.

The Paladins finished last season 21-9 overall and 11-5 in the SoCon, falling to Wofford in the semifinals of the SoCon Volleyball Championship. The program returns 16 letterwinners from 2025 and welcomes three freshmen newcomers.

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