University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brady Paitrick
'U' to Open 2026 at State Farm College Volleyball Showcase
5/12/2026 10:00:00 AM | Volleyball
They'll play Arizona State and Creighton at the Sanford Pentagon
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Minnesota volleyball team will open the 2026 regular season Friday, Aug. 28 and Saturday, Aug. 29 at the State Farm Volleyball Showcase inside the Sanford Pentagon. Minnesota also opened the 2025 season at the Sanford Pentagon against Texas A&M and will play there in September against South Dakota and South Dakota State.
The five-match showcase will feature nationally televised contests across opening weekend, with FOX or FS1 carrying all matches on Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29. Confirmed matchups are below; match times will be announced at a later date. Tickets for the 2026 State Farm Women's Volleyball Showcase will go on sale June 11, with a pre-sale beginning June 10.
"For the second straight year, we're proud to help kick off the college volleyball season at the Sanford Pentagon," said Jesse Smith, Sanford Sports vice president. "For years, we've been fortunate enough to host some of the best teams in the country in Sioux Falls. We're grateful to Intersport for their partnership and helping to create what will be another tremendous event."
Launched in 2024, the State Farm Women's Volleyball Showcase shines a national spotlight on the start of the college volleyball season through elite competition, premium television exposure and standout non-conference matchups.
Minnesota will open the season on Friday, Aug. 28 against Arizona State and then take on Creighton on Saturday, Aug. 29. Arizona State went 28-4 (17-1 Big 12) and won the conference last year. They advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling to Creighton. The Bluejays went 28-6 (16-0 BIG EAST) last season and won both the regular season and tournament conference titles. They fell to national runner-up Kentucky in the Elite Eight.
The Gophers finished 15th in the AVCA Final Rankings last season after making the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2022. Minnesota went 24-10 (12-8 Big Ten) and tied for sixth in the league regular season standings.
Event Schedule:
Friday, Aug. 28
JJ Van Niel has quickly elevated Arizona State into a national contender, leading the Sun Devils to back-to-back Big 12 championships in 2024 and 2025, the only two conference titles in program history. Van Niel also earned conference Coach of the Year honors in each of his first three seasons, becoming one of just three coaches in NCAA
volleyball history to accomplish that feat.
Arizona State has reached the NCAA tournament in all three seasons under Van Niel, including two Sweet 16 appearances in the last three years, after the program had
never won two postseason matches before 2023. The 2023-25 stretch represents the best run in program history, producing the top three seasons in ASU history by winning percentage and three of the program's best win totals, including 30 wins in 2024 and 28 wins in both 2023 and 2025.
The Sun Devils also participated in the 2025 edition of the event, splitting contests against No. 2 Penn State and No. 9 Pitt.
Arizona State owns a 2-1 all-time edge over Minnesota, with the series dating back to 1973. Minnesota won the most recent meeting, 3-1, on Dec. 2, 2000, in the second
round of the NCAA tournament.
Creighton
Brian Rosen, the AVCA's 2024 National Assistant Coach of the Year, took over as Creighton's head coach in 2025 and made immediate history with 28 wins, the most ever by a first-year Big East volleyball coach. Rosen also became the only coach in league history to win multiple NCAA tournament matches in his debut season. Creighton went 28-6 in 2025, reached a second straight Elite Eight, finished No. 10 in the final AVCA poll and enters 2026 on a streak of 71 consecutive top-25 rankings.
The Bluejays remain one of the nation's premier programs, with 12 straight Big East regular-season titles, 53 consecutive wins over league opponents, 14 straight NCAA tournament appearances and the nation's third-most wins since 2021 with 147. Creighton is one of just nine schools to reach the Sweet 16 in each of the last three seasons, and its 2026 matchup with USC will mark the 12th meeting between the programs since 2014.
Creighton owns a 2-1 all-time edge over Purdue, with the series dating back to Sept. 8, 2017. The Bluejays have won each of the last two meetings, including the most recent matchup, 3-1, on Sept. 20, 2024, in Lawrence, Kan. Creighton trails USC 7-4 in the all-time series, which dates back to Sept. 6, 2014. The Trojans won the most recent meeting, 3-0, on Sept. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Minnesota
Head coach Keegan Cook enters his fourth season at Minnesota in 2026 after being hired Dec. 12, 2022. Cook has led the Gophers to a 62-34 overall record and a 37-23 Big Ten mark through
his first three seasons, with NCAA tournament berths in all three years. Minnesota went 24-10 in 2025 despite losing four starters to season-ending injuries early in the year, relying heavily on five freshman starters while still finishing sixth in the Big Ten.
The Gophers earned a top-16 seed in the NCAA tournament in 2025, hosted the first two rounds, advanced to the Sweet 16 and finished No. 15 in the final AVCA rankings. Cook was named AVCA Northwest Region Coach of the Year. Minnesota, which also took part in the 2024 edition of the event, remains one of the nation's most consistent programs, with 11 straight NCAA tournament appearances, 31 consecutive winning seasons, 21 Sweet 16 trips, 10 Elite Eight appearances and six Final Four berths.
Minnesota owns a 5-2 all-time edge over Creighton, with the series dating back to Nov. 21, 1980. Creighton has won each of the last two meetings, including the most recent matchup, 3-0, on Dec. 2, 2023, in Omaha, Neb.
Purdue
Purdue is coming off a 27-7 season that included a 15-5 mark in Big Ten play, a third- place conference finish, a regional final appearance and a No. 8 final AVCA ranking. Purdue returns one of the nation's most decorated groups, including all three of its 2025 All-Americans: Taylor Anderson, Kenna Wollard and Grace Heaney. Anderson, a second-team All-American, led the nation in assists in 2025, while Wollard, also a
second-team All-American, was an AVCA National Player of the Year semifinalist and finished seventh nationally in kills with the third-highest single-season total in Purdue history. Heaney earned third-team All-America honors.
The Boilermakers also return four All-Big Ten selections, tied with Nebraska and USC for the most in the conference. Purdue added sophomore OH Mimi Mambu and senior MB Kate Hansen through the
transfer portal and will welcome eight freshmen this fall, including four redshirt freshmen and four true freshmen who could compete for time on the court.
Purdue has been ranked in the AVCA poll for 143 consecutive weeks. Purdue trails Creighton, 2-1, in the all-time series, which dates back to Sept. 8, 2017. The Boilermakers won the first meeting, 3-1, before the Bluejays took each of the last two matchups, including a 3-1 decision on Sept. 20, 2024, in Lawrence, Kan.
USC
Seventh-year head coach Brad Keller led USC to its fourth consecutive NCAA tournament berth in 2025 and guided the Women of Troy to a No. 14 AVCA midseason ranking, the highest of his tenure. Keller recorded his third 20-win season in four years, reached 100 career wins last fall and enters 2026 with 110 victories at USC.
USC finished 25-7 in 2025, including a 15-5 mark in Big Ten play to tie for third in the conference standings. The Trojans reached 20 wins for the 36th time in program history, posted their most wins since 2017, set a new home attendance record, recorded 18 matches with double-digit blocks and earned 11 Big Ten Player of the Week awards.
USC owns six national championships, including three NCAA titles in 1981, 2002 and 2003, and three AIAW championships in 1976, 1977 and 1980. The Trojans won the inaugural NCAA championship in 1981, claimed back-to-back NCAA titles under Mick Haley in 2002 and 2003, and have appeared in all but four of the NCAA's 45 annual championship tournaments. The Women of Troy return a strong core in 2026, led by OH London Wijay, a unanimous All-Big Ten first-team selection. MB Leah Ford and LIB Taylor Deckert return after earning second-team All-Big Ten honors, while OPP Abigail Mullen is back after being named to the 2025 Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
USC owns a 63-14-1 all-time edge over Arizona State, with the series dating back to 1977. The Trojans won the most recent meeting, 3-0, on Nov. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. USC also owns a 7-4 all-time edge over Creighton, with the series dating back to Sept. 6, 2014. The Trojans won the most recent meeting, 3-0, on Sept. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
About Intersport
Intersport is an award-winning agency that fills the empty space between marketing campaigns and consumers—helping brands make more meaningful connections. Its industry-leading team offers expert insights in content marketing, experiential marketing, hospitality, partnership consulting and platform development. The Chicago-based agency also owns and operates events across the professional and collegiate sports
landscape, including basketball, football, golf, pickleball and volleyball. Intersport has been headquartered in Chicago since its inception in 1985 and has an additional office in Detroit. Learn more at www.intersport.global and on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook).
The five-match showcase will feature nationally televised contests across opening weekend, with FOX or FS1 carrying all matches on Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29. Confirmed matchups are below; match times will be announced at a later date. Tickets for the 2026 State Farm Women's Volleyball Showcase will go on sale June 11, with a pre-sale beginning June 10.
"For the second straight year, we're proud to help kick off the college volleyball season at the Sanford Pentagon," said Jesse Smith, Sanford Sports vice president. "For years, we've been fortunate enough to host some of the best teams in the country in Sioux Falls. We're grateful to Intersport for their partnership and helping to create what will be another tremendous event."
Launched in 2024, the State Farm Women's Volleyball Showcase shines a national spotlight on the start of the college volleyball season through elite competition, premium television exposure and standout non-conference matchups.
Minnesota will open the season on Friday, Aug. 28 against Arizona State and then take on Creighton on Saturday, Aug. 29. Arizona State went 28-4 (17-1 Big 12) and won the conference last year. They advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling to Creighton. The Bluejays went 28-6 (16-0 BIG EAST) last season and won both the regular season and tournament conference titles. They fell to national runner-up Kentucky in the Elite Eight.
The Gophers finished 15th in the AVCA Final Rankings last season after making the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2022. Minnesota went 24-10 (12-8 Big Ten) and tied for sixth in the league regular season standings.
Event Schedule:
Friday, Aug. 28
- 7 p.m. OR 9 p.m., FOX or FS1: Creighton vs. Purdue
- 7 p.m. OR 9 p.m, FOX or FS1: Minnesota vs. Arizona State
- 5 p.m. OR 7 p.m., FOX or FS1: Creighton vs. Minnesota
- 5 p.m. OR 7 p.m., FOX or FS1: Arizona State vs. USC
- Time, Network TBD: USC vs. Creighton
JJ Van Niel has quickly elevated Arizona State into a national contender, leading the Sun Devils to back-to-back Big 12 championships in 2024 and 2025, the only two conference titles in program history. Van Niel also earned conference Coach of the Year honors in each of his first three seasons, becoming one of just three coaches in NCAA
volleyball history to accomplish that feat.
Arizona State has reached the NCAA tournament in all three seasons under Van Niel, including two Sweet 16 appearances in the last three years, after the program had
never won two postseason matches before 2023. The 2023-25 stretch represents the best run in program history, producing the top three seasons in ASU history by winning percentage and three of the program's best win totals, including 30 wins in 2024 and 28 wins in both 2023 and 2025.
The Sun Devils also participated in the 2025 edition of the event, splitting contests against No. 2 Penn State and No. 9 Pitt.
Arizona State owns a 2-1 all-time edge over Minnesota, with the series dating back to 1973. Minnesota won the most recent meeting, 3-1, on Dec. 2, 2000, in the second
round of the NCAA tournament.
Creighton
Brian Rosen, the AVCA's 2024 National Assistant Coach of the Year, took over as Creighton's head coach in 2025 and made immediate history with 28 wins, the most ever by a first-year Big East volleyball coach. Rosen also became the only coach in league history to win multiple NCAA tournament matches in his debut season. Creighton went 28-6 in 2025, reached a second straight Elite Eight, finished No. 10 in the final AVCA poll and enters 2026 on a streak of 71 consecutive top-25 rankings.
The Bluejays remain one of the nation's premier programs, with 12 straight Big East regular-season titles, 53 consecutive wins over league opponents, 14 straight NCAA tournament appearances and the nation's third-most wins since 2021 with 147. Creighton is one of just nine schools to reach the Sweet 16 in each of the last three seasons, and its 2026 matchup with USC will mark the 12th meeting between the programs since 2014.
Creighton owns a 2-1 all-time edge over Purdue, with the series dating back to Sept. 8, 2017. The Bluejays have won each of the last two meetings, including the most recent matchup, 3-1, on Sept. 20, 2024, in Lawrence, Kan. Creighton trails USC 7-4 in the all-time series, which dates back to Sept. 6, 2014. The Trojans won the most recent meeting, 3-0, on Sept. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Minnesota
Head coach Keegan Cook enters his fourth season at Minnesota in 2026 after being hired Dec. 12, 2022. Cook has led the Gophers to a 62-34 overall record and a 37-23 Big Ten mark through
his first three seasons, with NCAA tournament berths in all three years. Minnesota went 24-10 in 2025 despite losing four starters to season-ending injuries early in the year, relying heavily on five freshman starters while still finishing sixth in the Big Ten.
The Gophers earned a top-16 seed in the NCAA tournament in 2025, hosted the first two rounds, advanced to the Sweet 16 and finished No. 15 in the final AVCA rankings. Cook was named AVCA Northwest Region Coach of the Year. Minnesota, which also took part in the 2024 edition of the event, remains one of the nation's most consistent programs, with 11 straight NCAA tournament appearances, 31 consecutive winning seasons, 21 Sweet 16 trips, 10 Elite Eight appearances and six Final Four berths.
Minnesota owns a 5-2 all-time edge over Creighton, with the series dating back to Nov. 21, 1980. Creighton has won each of the last two meetings, including the most recent matchup, 3-0, on Dec. 2, 2023, in Omaha, Neb.
Purdue
Purdue is coming off a 27-7 season that included a 15-5 mark in Big Ten play, a third- place conference finish, a regional final appearance and a No. 8 final AVCA ranking. Purdue returns one of the nation's most decorated groups, including all three of its 2025 All-Americans: Taylor Anderson, Kenna Wollard and Grace Heaney. Anderson, a second-team All-American, led the nation in assists in 2025, while Wollard, also a
second-team All-American, was an AVCA National Player of the Year semifinalist and finished seventh nationally in kills with the third-highest single-season total in Purdue history. Heaney earned third-team All-America honors.
The Boilermakers also return four All-Big Ten selections, tied with Nebraska and USC for the most in the conference. Purdue added sophomore OH Mimi Mambu and senior MB Kate Hansen through the
transfer portal and will welcome eight freshmen this fall, including four redshirt freshmen and four true freshmen who could compete for time on the court.
Purdue has been ranked in the AVCA poll for 143 consecutive weeks. Purdue trails Creighton, 2-1, in the all-time series, which dates back to Sept. 8, 2017. The Boilermakers won the first meeting, 3-1, before the Bluejays took each of the last two matchups, including a 3-1 decision on Sept. 20, 2024, in Lawrence, Kan.
USC
Seventh-year head coach Brad Keller led USC to its fourth consecutive NCAA tournament berth in 2025 and guided the Women of Troy to a No. 14 AVCA midseason ranking, the highest of his tenure. Keller recorded his third 20-win season in four years, reached 100 career wins last fall and enters 2026 with 110 victories at USC.
USC finished 25-7 in 2025, including a 15-5 mark in Big Ten play to tie for third in the conference standings. The Trojans reached 20 wins for the 36th time in program history, posted their most wins since 2017, set a new home attendance record, recorded 18 matches with double-digit blocks and earned 11 Big Ten Player of the Week awards.
USC owns six national championships, including three NCAA titles in 1981, 2002 and 2003, and three AIAW championships in 1976, 1977 and 1980. The Trojans won the inaugural NCAA championship in 1981, claimed back-to-back NCAA titles under Mick Haley in 2002 and 2003, and have appeared in all but four of the NCAA's 45 annual championship tournaments. The Women of Troy return a strong core in 2026, led by OH London Wijay, a unanimous All-Big Ten first-team selection. MB Leah Ford and LIB Taylor Deckert return after earning second-team All-Big Ten honors, while OPP Abigail Mullen is back after being named to the 2025 Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
USC owns a 63-14-1 all-time edge over Arizona State, with the series dating back to 1977. The Trojans won the most recent meeting, 3-0, on Nov. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. USC also owns a 7-4 all-time edge over Creighton, with the series dating back to Sept. 6, 2014. The Trojans won the most recent meeting, 3-0, on Sept. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
About Intersport
Intersport is an award-winning agency that fills the empty space between marketing campaigns and consumers—helping brands make more meaningful connections. Its industry-leading team offers expert insights in content marketing, experiential marketing, hospitality, partnership consulting and platform development. The Chicago-based agency also owns and operates events across the professional and collegiate sports
landscape, including basketball, football, golf, pickleball and volleyball. Intersport has been headquartered in Chicago since its inception in 1985 and has an additional office in Detroit. Learn more at www.intersport.global and on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook).
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