After a challenging 2025 season that saw the Maryland volleyball team finish with an 8-22 record—their worst since 2008, including just one conference win—the Terps are ready to turn the page and aim for a strong comeback in 2026. The path to redemption became a little clearer on Monday when the Big Ten officially unveiled Maryland's conference schedule for the upcoming season.

The 2026 slate features 17 conference matches, a change designed to accommodate the inaugural Big Ten Tournament. It's a fresh start for a team that struggled on the road and in conference play last year, but the schedule offers some promising opportunities for a turnaround.

Playing in one of the nation's toughest volleyball conferences—which sent nine teams to the NCAA Tournament last season—Maryland will need to bring its best every night. But the Terps have reason for optimism: five of their opponents are postseason teams, and nine of their conference matches will be played at home in the friendly confines of the Pavilion.

Among the marquee home matchups, Maryland will host powerhouse programs like Nebraska, USC, Michigan, Penn State, and UCLA. The remaining home contests come against Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, and Northwestern—four teams that finished with losing records in Big Ten play, giving the Terps a real chance to stack wins.

Road success has been elusive for Maryland, which managed just four wins away from College Park in Big Ten action last season. But the 2026 road schedule presents opportunities for the program to secure its first conference road victory in two years, with trips to Oregon, Washington, Ohio State, and Rutgers.

The Terps closed out last season on a seven-match losing streak, but with a renewed focus and a favorable schedule, they're hoping to flip the script in 2026. Fans should mark their calendars for what promises to be an exciting season of Maryland volleyball.