Seventh-year head coach Shawn Taylor has announced the Southern Miss Golden Eagles women’s beach volleyball team’s schedule for the 2026 regular season. The team will compete in 33 matches across eight weekend tournaments, with the highlight being their only home event, the Spring Break Slam, scheduled for March 20 and 21.
Taylor expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming season. “I could not be more excited about how this schedule came together,” said Taylor. “As you look down the list of teams, a lot of them are programs that play at a level comparable to or a little above what we feel it takes to win the Sun Belt Conference. We also have the opportunity to see some new opponents and venues this year as we make our first trips to Arizona State and Mercer in program history. The diversity of our opponents and strength of schedule will force us to adapt and grow.”
He added, “We are coming off what I feel was the best fall in program history in terms of development. That energy and focus have carried right into the spring. We’re looking forward to kicking off our season in Houston and testing ourselves in the coming months.”
The Golden Eagles’ eighth season begins on February 20 at the Third Coast Challenge in Houston, Texas, where they will face Saint Mary’s, Tarleton State, Cal Poly, and host Houston Christian over two days.
In week two, Southern Miss travels to Baton Rouge for the Tiger Beach Challenge against LSU, North Alabama, Washington, and Tulane on February 27-28. The following weekend brings their first appearance at Arizona State’s Sun Devil Classic on March 6-7 with matches against Stephen F. Austin, Nebraska, Arizona, and host Arizona State.
Next is a trip to DeLand for Stetson’s Spring Invitational from March 13-14 featuring UAB, Stetson, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Florida Gulf Coast, and North Alabama.
The team’s sole home tournament is set for March 20-21 during Spring Break Slam in Hattiesburg with visiting teams Spring Hill and ULM. Senior day festivities will take place after Saturday’s final match.
Southern Miss then heads to Macon for its part in the Sun Belt Conference Mid-Season Tournament from March 27-28 against College of Charleston, Mercer (a first-time opponent), Coastal Carolina, and UNCW. This event helps determine seeding for the conference championship later in Foley.
April starts with participation at Florida State’s FSU Challenge (April 3-4) against Loyola Marymount, Jacksonville (twice), and Florida State itself.
After a weekend break from competition, Southern Miss concludes its regular season at Tulane’s NOLA Classic on April 17-18 facing FIU, New Orleans, ULM again, and Tulane.
The Sun Belt Conference Beach Volleyball Championships return to Foley Sports Tourism Complex from April 23 through April 25.
