Army Volleyball to Face Iowa in Season-Opening Tournament at West Point
The Army West Point Black Knights volleyball team will open the 2026 season with a home tournament featuring a matchup against the University of Iowa, a schedule that also includes a pair of rivalry matches against Navy. The Black Knight Invitational, set for August 28-30 at Gillis Field House, will bring the Hawkeyes to West Point for the first time since 1985.
Key Matchups for the 2026 Season
Army, which finished third in the Patriot League regular season in 2025 with an 11-5 conference record and a 19-9 overall mark, will host Iowa on Friday, August 28 at 6 p.m. The two teams have split their two previous meetings, with the last matchup occurring in 1985. The tournament also includes Sacred Heart and Albany.
The Black Knights will also face Navy twice in October. The Midshipmen will visit West Point on October 9, and Army will travel to Annapolis on October 17. The home match against Navy could be moved to Christl Arena depending on attendance.
Non-Conference Tests
Army will open the season on the road at Seton Hall on August 22 before hosting Marist on August 25. The team will then travel to tournaments at Texas Arlington (September 4-5) and Hofstra (September 11-12).
At the UTA tournament, Army will face Sam Houston State and Kent State before taking on host Texas Arlington. The Hofstra tournament includes matchups against Liberty, Fairfield, and host Hofstra, which won the Coastal Athletic Association regular-season title in 2025.
Patriot League Outlook
The Black Knights will look to improve on their third-place finish in the Patriot League. In 2025, Army swept Navy, Lafayette, Holy Cross, and Loyola (Md.) in conference play. The team took two of three from both Lehigh and Colgate but lost all three matchups to American, including the conference final.
American won the Patriot League title in 2025 with a 24-5 overall record and a 15-1 conference mark. Army will host American on September 19 and travel to Washington, D.C., on October 23.
Roster and Coaching Changes
Head coach Alma Kovaci Lee returns for her second season with a young but experienced roster. The team graduated four seniors but returns one junior, all-star setter Juliette Myrick, who earned second-team Patriot League honors in 2025. The roster also includes 10 sophomores and five of seven freshmen from last year's team.
Lee has brought in seven new freshmen for the 2026 season, including middle blocker Gracie Eybel, setter Lillian Dempkey, and outside hitter Marlee Lightsey. The coaching staff includes associate head coach Stafford Barzey and assistant coach Julia Anderson.
How to Watch
All home matches and Patriot League contests will be webstreamed on ESPN Plus, which requires a subscription. Gillis Field House will serve as the primary home venue, with the possibility of moving the Navy match to Christl Arena.
For the full schedule and ticket information, visit goarmywestpoint.com.
This article was adapted from a report by Ken McMillan of the Times Herald-Record.