Villanova volleyball plays its first home match in more than 10 months on Friday, Sept. 18, when the Wildcats host UMBC at Jake Nevin Field House.

The match tips off the two-day Villanova Classic, which wraps up the Wildcats' non-conference schedule before BIG EAST play begins. Villanova faces the Retrievers at 7 p.m. Friday and takes on Princeton at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. Both matches stream on ESPN+.

The Wildcats (5-4) have spent the first three and a half weeks of the season on the road, playing tournaments in California, upstate New York and Washington, D.C. Head coach Josh Steinbach, now in his 20th year leading the program, told The Villanovan on Sept. 16 that the team was "looking forward to … our home opener on Friday against UMBC" after back-to-back losses to Iowa State and Penn State.

Senior outside hitter Abby Harrell became the first Villanova player named Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year. She and junior middle blocker Campbell McKinnon, a unanimous Preseason All-BIG EAST pick, anchor a squad that finished No. 2 in the conference preseason poll.

UMBC is the defending America East champion and has won the conference title in five of the last six seasons. The Retrievers were picked to finish first in the America East again in 2026, according to Villanova Athletics.

Head coach Kasey Crider, in his fifth year, brings preseason All-Conference picks Jalynn Brown and Hannah Howard to the Main Line. Hannah Dobbs leads UMBC with 102 kills and 13 aces through the early season.

Villanova holds a 5-1 all-time edge in the series. UMBC's lone win came in four sets in Los Angeles in August 2022.

The Tigers were picked to top the Ivy League for the first time since 2019 but enter the weekend at 2-4. Villanova beat Princeton in five sets at the Colgate Volleyball Classic on Sept. 4. Freshman outside hitter Chloe Kelly led the Wildcats with 19 kills. McKinnon sealed the 16-14 fifth set with back-to-back service aces after Villanova erased five match points.

Steinbach praised that resilience in a Sept. 10 Villanova Athletics preview, saying the team's ability to "execute and win in fifth sets is a massive positive for our team moving forward."

Princeton head coach Sabrina King, in her 15th year, holds a 6-7 all-time record against Villanova. Ashtyn Sims (60 kills) and setter Sydney Draper (201 assists) pace the Tigers' attack.

BIG EAST conference play opens after the Villanova Classic. Friday's first serve is at 7 p.m. at Jake Nevin Field House.