Alfred, NY - The Alfred State Volleyball team releases their 2026 schedule as they enter their first season in the SUNYAC (State Universities of New York Athletic Conference).
 
The Pioneers will play 30 games in 2026, hosting 7 home games while playing the other 23 on the road. Senior Alayna Tomlinson is very excited about the upcoming season and chemistry amongst the team.
 
"I am super excited for this upcoming season! The chemistry we have on the team is the best it's ever been. We have newcomers stepping up in big ways for us as we head into the SUNYAC this fall. I can't wait to see where this season takes us as we head into a more competitive conference!"

Head Coach Gene Doorley added,

"What excites me most about this team is the combination of experience, unity, and commitment throughout our program. Our senior class and captains have done a tremendous job creating a culture centered on high standards, accountability, and competition. Just as encouraging has been the way our new athletes have fully embraced those expectations and bought into what we're building. As we enter the SUNYAC, we'll face new challenges every day, but this is a group that welcomes those opportunities. Their leadership, resilience, and trust in one another give us every reason to be confident as we continue to grow and pursue success throughout the season."

 
Alfred State's 2026 season will begin in Orvis Gymnasium against Houghton University on the 1^st of September with first serve scheduled for 5 pm. The Pioneers hit the road for the Morrisville Classic beginning September 4^th. They open the tournament with back-to-back games starting at 3 pm against Saint Francis University and SUNY Polytechnic Institute. The Pios will then finish off tournament play the next day with 2 more back-to-back games starting at 10 am against SUNY Morrisville and Alfred University. The following week on September 9^th, Keuka College comes to town for a 5pm game. Then the Pioneers are back on the road to Albany for the Crosstown Challenge. Opening tournament play on September 11^th at 7 pm against Russell Sage College. The next day starts at 11 am with back-to-back games against Union College and Oneonta. This is just the beginning of an 8-game road trip. Alfred State will continue their road trip on September 16^th in Keuka with first serve at 6 pm. They will then continue September 18^th at St. John Fisher starting at 3 pm and then onto Nazareth at 6pm. ASC stays at Nazareth to play SUNY Delhi the 19^th of September at 2 pm. After a long road trip, the Pioneers return home to host Houghton University, September 24^th at 7 pm. After a busy September the Pios have the rest of the month off until starting back up in October.
 
It's then off to the Keystone Classic beginning on the 3^rd of October starting at 9:30 am against Marywood University. The Keystone Classic finishes the same day for ASC against Keystone College and Wilson College. The next week, Alfred State will head across the street to Alfred University for the Alfred Cup game on October 7^th. After the Alfred Cup the Pios will open up SUNYAC play on October 10^th at home against SUNY Morrisville with start time set for 1 pm, then back on the road for another 4-game road trip beginning on October 14^th at Buffalo State starting at 6 pm. Alfred State is then off to Fredonia on October 17^th with first serve at 1 pm. After a week's break it is off to SUNY Cobleskill on October 23^rd for a game at 5 pm. Closing out the road trip, the Pios are off to Plattsburgh State where they will play a game beginning at 1pm. After the long road trip, the Pioneers will have a 3-game home stint. Starting off on October 30^th, SUNY Canton will come to Orvis for a 6 pm start time. The following day the Pioneers will host SUNY Potsdam with start time at 1 pm., and this game will also serve as Senior Day for the Pios. For their final two games of the season the Pios will host Oswego State at 6pm on November 4^th. Then on Saturday November 7^th ASC travels to Cortland for their last game of the season starting at 1pm. SUNYAC playoffs will then begin November 10^th.