The UNI volleyball team, four-time reigning MVC champions, will host its annual Purple and Gold Scrimmage on August 9 at 3 p.m. CT in the McLeod Center. The event is free and open to the public, featuring concessions and merchandise sales. As they pursue a fifth consecutive MVC championship, the Panthers aim to replicate their previous success, having won 69 of their last 70 conference matches since 2022. Under the leadership of 27-year head coach Bobbi Petersen, the team returns 16 players, including several all-conference athletes, as they prepare for a challenging 2026 season.

By the Numbers
  • 69 victories in the last 70 MVC regular season matches since 2022.
  • Five all-conference performers returning for the 2026 season.
State of Play
  • UNI volleyball starts the 2026 preseason with the Purple and Gold Scrimmage.
  • The team aims to tie their own record of five consecutive MVC regular season titles.
What's Next

The Panthers will continue preseason play with two exhibition matches, first against St. Thomas on August 15 and then Omaha at home on August 22. They kick off the regular season on August 28 at the Cyclone Invitational against Georgia Tech.

Bottom Line

As UNI volleyball prepares for its upcoming season, the focus remains on building upon its dominant conference performance while integrating new talent. The team's record-breaking history sets high expectations for the upcoming matches and the potential to extend their championship legacy.