TYLER, TEXAS – Coming off a 17-12 season and a trip to the Lone Star Conference Championship Semifinals, the UT Tyler volleyball program has announced its 2026 schedule as head coach Lyndsay Mashe enters her 11th season leading the Patriots.

Mashe, who has guided the program's rise into a Lone Star Conference contender, returns alongside assistant coach Kris Mashe and graduate assistant Paola Fragalle for the 2026 campaign.

The Patriots will open preseason play with a pair of scrimmages, hosting East Texas Baptist on Aug. 18 before traveling to Stephen F. Austin on Aug. 21.

UT Tyler officially begins the regular season at the SAU Tournament in Magnolia, Arkansas, on Aug. 28-29. The Patriots will open the tournament against Arkansas-Monticello before facing Central Oklahoma later that day. They conclude the weekend with matches against LeMoyne-Owen and tournament host Southern Arkansas.

The following weekend, UT Tyler heads to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, for the Reddie-Tiger Invitational hosted by Ouachita Baptist. The Patriots open the tournament against the host Tigers on Sept. 3 before taking on Union and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 4 and wrapping up tournament play against Mississippi College on Sept. 5.

Before Lone Star Conference action begins, the Patriots will compete in the LSC Challenge hosted by St. Mary's in San Antonio. UT Tyler will face Texas Woman's on Sept. 11 before meeting tournament host St. Mary's on Sept. 12.

Conference play opens on the road with trips to Cameron (Sept. 18), Oklahoma Christian (Sept. 19) and UT Dallas (Sept. 26).

The Patriots will make their home debut on Sept. 30 against St. Edward's in a match that also serves as International Students Night.

UT Tyler's home promotional schedule includes:

• Sept. 30 vs. St. Edward's – International Students Night
• Oct. 2 vs. UT Permian Basin – Freshman Night
• Oct. 3 vs. Angelo State – 903 Day
• Oct. 16 vs. West Texas A&M – Pink Out
• Oct. 17 vs. Eastern New Mexico – Military Appreciation
• Oct. 30 vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville – Costume Night
• Oct. 31 vs. Texas A&M International – Senior Day

The Patriots will also host St. Mary's on Oct. 20 before closing the home schedule with Halloween weekend contests against Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International.

The Lone Star Conference Volleyball Championship is scheduled for Nov. 12-14, followed by the NCAA South Central Regional on Nov. 19-22. The NCAA Division II National Championship will be held Dec. 3-5 in Kansas City, Missouri.

UT Tyler will look to build on last season's 17-12 overall record, including a 12-5 mark in Lone Star Conference play, after advancing to the conference tournament semifinals for the second consecutive season.