Villanova volleyball opens BIG EAST play Sept. 26 at Butler in Indianapolis. The Wildcats then travel to Cincinnati on Sept. 27 to face Xavier, the team that knocked them out of last year's conference semifinals.

The Wildcats (7-4) take on Butler (6-6) at 7 p.m. before the 4 p.m. Xavier (7-4) match the following day. The Butler game streams on ESPN+; the Xavier match airs on Xavier+.

It marks the first time in program history Villanova has opened BIG EAST play against Butler, according to Villanova athletics. Head coach Josh Steinbach, now in his 20th season leading the program, is 11-8 in BIG EAST openers, including a 3-2 win over St. John's to start conference play last season.

The Musketeers knocked Villanova out in last year's BIG EAST semifinals and beat the Wildcats twice during the 2025 regular season. Xavier leads the all-time series 15-11, per Xavier athletics. The Musketeers went 26-5 last season and reached the NCAA Tournament before falling to Michigan.

Villanova enters conference play ranked second in the BIG EAST preseason coaches' poll, behind unanimous pick Creighton. Xavier was picked fourth.

Junior middle blocker Campbell McKinnon leads the Wildcats with 128 kills through 11 matches. She set a career high with 20 kills against UMBC during the Villanova Classic and was a unanimous preseason All-BIG EAST selection. Senior outside hitter Abby Harrell, the first player in program history named preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year, has 79 kills. Six Wildcats have recorded more than 50 kills.

Steinbach reflected on his team's gritty five-set wins at the Colgate Classic in a Sept. 10 preview. "Learning how to execute and win in fifth sets is a massive positive for our team moving forward," he said.

Butler, picked ninth in the preseason poll after a 12-17 campaign last year, is led by Middle Tennessee transfer Raegan Durbin with 87 kills. Xavier counters with Charlotte Moriarty, who has 133 kills and 16 aces.

The Wildcats run a 6-2 system with three setters sharing time: Alyssa Nelson, Selah O'Connor and Ava Harris. The trio has combined for 543 assists. Villanova has out-killed opponents 573 to 543.

The BIG EAST schedule beyond the Sept. 27 Xavier match has not been announced.