Cardinals Will Play in AVCA First Serve In Milwaukee
January 16, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
UofL will be joined by Texas A&M, Kentucky, Pitt, Wisconsin, Arizona State, SMU and Texas
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Louisville volleyball team will be one of eight teams that will be part of 2026 AVCA First Serve at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum, August 21–23 as revealed by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
This year's event will include all four of the 2025 NCAA Championship semifinalists—national champion Texas A&M, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, and Wisconsin—as well as Arizona State, Louisville, SMU, and Texas. Each of those eight teams were ranked in the top 12 of the final 2025 AVCA/TARAFLEX Division I Women's Volleyball Poll, and they all advanced to at least the Sweet Sixteen of last season's championship.
UofL finished the 2025 campaign with a 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-12 loss to Texas A&M in the Regional Semifinal in Lincoln, Nebraska to finish their season at 26-7. Texas A&M went on to oust unbeaten No. 1 Nebraska in the regional final in a five-set match and then took the NCAA Championship. The Cardinal lost Cara Cresse, a first round MLV draft choice, and Molly Wilson to graduation but return the rest of the starters from the 2025 season.
"We are very excited to bring such a star-studded group of teams to Milwaukee for AVCA First Serve," said AVCA CEO Dr. Jaime Gordon. "Having high-caliber teams, as well offering an excellent in-arena experience for fans and having great TV partners, makes AVCA First Serve the premier showcase for our sport."
The marquee 2026 field continues the momentum for the popular, season-opening event, which will feature six matches over three days. The last two AVCA First Serves included two of those season's final four teams—Nebraska and Louisville in 2024 and Pittsburgh and Texas A&M in 2025—and this year's version will be the first to include each of the NCAA Championship semifinalists from the previous season.
Tickets for AVCA First Serve, which will mark the beginning of the 2026 women's volleyball season, will go on sale on Friday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m. CT at www.fiservforum.com. Other updates on the event can be found at 2026 AVCA First Serve page, and make sure to sign up for the Fan Pack Giveaway that includes tickets, lodging, and meal credit for the event.
