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Season Preview: Women's Volleyball
Posted: Aug 26, 2025

Season Preview: Women's Volleyball

After a strong season in 2024-25, the Cardinals enter the new season with a clean slate and a schedule packed with early tests and late-season battles that will shape their postseason hopes.

Key Early Matchups

The Cardinals kick off the 2025-26 campaign against St. Louis CC on Wednesday, August 27 before traveling to Burlington, IA to participate in the Jimmy John's Invite, hosted by Southeastern CC.  MAC will play four matches in two days (Aug 29–30), including matchups with John Wood CC, Frontier CC, Southeastern CC, and Spoon River College.

Conference & Regional Battles

The Region 16 schedule kicks into gear on September 2 with a key rivalry matchup against Jefferson College on the road, with the rematch coming at home on October 7.\

Another regional showdown awaits against Missouri State University – West Plains on September 24 (away) and October 14 (home).  Circle these dates as Region 16 play should once again be filled with great matches.

Tournaments to Watch

MAC will participate in three major in-season tournaments:

  • Blazer Classic (Vincennes University, Sep 5–6)
  • Lake Land Tournament (Sep 12–13)
  • Grizzly Invitational (MSU–West Plains, Oct 3–4)

These events feature top talent from across the Midwest and Southeast, including NJCAA powerhouses like Panola College, Iowa Western, and Wallace State. Strong performances in these matches could propel the Cardinals up the national rankings.

The Cardinal Classic (Oct 9–11) brings the spotlight back home, as MAC hosts Trinity Valley, John A. Logan, and a rematch with Vincennes University. This will be a showcase opportunity for fans to see MAC at its best.

Closing Stretch & Postseason Picture

October wraps up with a flurry of home matches, including against Kaskaskia College (Oct 16), Southwestern Illinois College (Oct 21), and Lewis & Clark (Oct 29). These games will serve as the final tune-up before Region 16 Tournament play begins.

The Region 16 Semifinals and Championship will be held at MSU–West Plains on Oct 31–Nov 1, with the Midwest District Tournament to follow (Nov 7–8), location TBD. A trip to the national tournament is certainly within reach with MAC's experienced roster and challenging regular season schedule.