The Wisconsin Badgers launch their 2026 campaign, and it's a doozy, taking on No. 3 Kentucky and No. 7 Louisville in back-to-back games. The Badgers are taking part in the AVCA First Serve event that features eight different ranked teams, including the defending national champions, the Texas A&M Aggies. For any volleyball fan, it's must-watch TV. So let's dive right into how to watch this event.
How to watch Wisconsin
No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 3 Kentucky
Time: 8 pm CT - August 21
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+ (with a TV subscription)
Watch with FuboTV or add a subscription today.
No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 7 Louisville
Time: 3 pm CT - August 22
TV: FOX
Streaming: Fox Sports App
Watch with FuboTV or add a subscription today.
The complete AVCA First Serve schedule
All matches will take place at the Firserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Date | Match | Time | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
August 21 | 8 Texas A&M vs. 7 Louisville | 5 pm CT | ESPN2 |
August 21 | 6 Wisconsin vs. 3 Kentucky | 8 pm CT | ESPN |
August 22 | 6 Wisconsin vs. 7 Louisville | 3 pm CT | FOX |
August 22 | 2 Texas vs. 12 Arizona State | 6 pm CT | FS1 |
August 23 | 8 Texas A&M vs. 11 SMU | Noon CT | ESPN2 |
August 23 | 4 Pittsburgh vs. 3 Kentucky | 3 pm CT | ESPN |
August 24 | 4 Pittsburgh vs. Xavier | 5 pm CT | FS2 |
August 24 | 2 Texas vs. Marquette | 7 pm CT | FS2 |
The biggest storylines for Wisconsin
The event is chock-full of volleyball stories thanks to such a loaded field. We can get to that next, but first, Wisconsin has plenty of their own storylines to watch.
- The Badgers start the season with a rematch of last year's Final Four vs. Kentucky. There's still a chip on the shoulder of the Badgers, and they're licking their lips, ready to take down the Wildcats.
- Wisconsin has a young team, with no seniors on the roster. The rotation of young hitters is going to be a challenge for head coach Kelly Sheffield to manage.
- The injury status of Jaela Auguste (star middle blocker), who missed both exhibitions, Halle Thompson (star freshman outside hitter), who was taking it easy in the exhibitions, and Grace Lopez (star right side) who was injured all last season and has been easing back into play.
- How does Sheffield use both liberos, who are both elite? Kristen Simon, started all last season as a true freshman. Anna Bardaro was a star libero in the international circuit.
Louisville and Wisconsin haven't met since the 2024 Final Four, which was an absolute battle between the two teams. Also advancing past the Badgers to the National Championship.
The biggest storylines beyond Wisconsin
- Can Texas A&M start its national-title defense with a statement?
- How does Kentucky perform without Ava Hudson but now with Morgan Gaerte?
- Does Texas showcase the National Champion label that's being tossed around at them?
- Louisville is flying a bit under the radar; how does their squad look in 2026?
- Pitt has high expectations for 2026. In Olivia Babcock's senior season, what statement does she make?
Ultimately, since this is the start to the volleyball season and the AVCA First Serve is loaded with talent and top-10 teams, there are storylines galore. There will actually be more that come out of this than we have entering into it. Because Wisconsin will either go 2-0, 1-1, 0-2, and all will be notable stories. Kentucky also has to take on both Wisconsin and Pitt, Louisville has to take on Texas A&M and Wisconsin.
It's truly going to be a bloodbath in all the best ways. No sport does it like volleyball where the top teams are facing each other to start the season. It's going to be amazing.
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