EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP volleyball team is set to open its 53rd season this weekend, kicking off the 2026 campaign at the NMSU Volleyball Jamboree in Las Cruces, N.M.
For the second consecutive season, UTEP has sold out its home opener, as Sunday's matchup will be played in front of a capacity crowd.
The Miners will begin the season against reigning American Athletic Conference champion Tulsa at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Pan American Center before returning to El Paso for an I-10 rivalry showdown against NM State at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at Club Memorial.
SCHEDULE
| Saturday, August 29 |
| 3 PM |
UTEP vs Tulsa |
Las Cruces, NM |
Live Stats |
|
| Sunday, August 30 |
| 6 PM |
UTEP vs NM State (White Out) |
Club Memorial |
Live Stats |
MW+ |
| ^ All Times Mountain |
WATCH THE MINERS ON MW+
Sunday's matchup against NM State will be the only UTEP volleyball match broadcast this weekend and will be available exclusively on MW+. Built to bring fans closer to the action, MW+ serves as the dedicated home for UTEP's live events, original programming and on-demand content. Through its partnership with Kiswe, the Mountain West is introducing an interactive viewing experience designed for Miner Nation that is flexible, accessible and built for scale. MW+ subscriptions are available for $79.99 annually or $10.99 monthly. Fans can become MW+ subscribers and watch UTEP volleyball at
watch.themw.com/utep/volleyball.
PRESEASON RECOGNITION
UTEP enters its first season as a member of the Mountain West with high expectations, having been selected to finish first in the 2026 MW preseason poll. The Miners received four first-place votes and 84 points in the preseason balloting.
Graduate student outside hitter
Ema Uskokovic was also named to the 2026 MW Preseason Team. Uskokovic returns to the court for her final season after missing the 2025 campaign due to injury. The two-time preseason team selection was an All-Conference USA First Team honoree and AVCA All-Region selection in 2024.
IN THE MINER SHAFT
Senior setter
Kalia Kohler headlines a group of 10 returners. Kohler, a two-time All-CUSA Second Team selection, returns to lead the Miners' offense and provide experience at the setter position.
UTEP also welcomes eight newcomers to the roster, including two transfers and six freshmen. Transfers
Shea Bruntmyer and
Lily-Rose Pichon join the Miners after collegiate stops at LSU and Samford, and Norfolk State, respectively.
The freshman class features
Elizabeth Pickett,
Laila Amos,
Kaylynn Pardue,
Bella Widmer,
Daisy Voskuhl and
Caryme Molina.
A RECORD-SETTING 2025 SEASON
UTEP is coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, posting a 25-5 overall record and a program-record .9375 winning percentage in Conference USA play after finishing 15-1 in league action.
The Miners earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, receiving the No. 6 seed, while posting a program-best No. 15 NCAA RPI.
UTEP also established a new home attendance record during the regular season, drawing 3,105 fans for its matchup against UCLA.
- Overall Record: 25-5
- Conference USA Record: 15-1 (.9375 winning percentage; program record)
- NCAA RPI: No. 15 (program best)
- NCAA Tournament: At-large bid; No. 6 seed
- Home Attendance Record: 3,105 vs. UCLA (regular season)
OPENING WITH TULSA
UTEP will begin its 2026 campaign against Tulsa, which enters its 51st season of Golden Hurricane volleyball.
Since the program's inception in 1976, Tulsa has played 1,620 matches, compiling 797 victories. A total of 227 student-athletes have donned the Royal Blue and Old Gold, with Golden Hurricane players earning 56 all-conference awards and 15 All-America honors, including four Academic All-America selections.
Tulsa has captured seven conference championships and made nine postseason appearances, including five NCAA Tournament and four NIVC berths.
- Series History: UTEP leads, 29-17
- Ben Wallis vs. Tulsa: 1-1
- Last Meeting: Tulsa won, 3-0
I-10 RIVALRY RENEWED
The Miners will close out the weekend against I-10 rival NM State at Club Memorial in a matchup played in front of a sold-out crowd.
The Aggies finished 14-16 overall last season and went 7-9 in Conference USA, advancing to the CUSA Championship quarterfinals before falling to Western Kentucky.
NM State returns its top scorer, libero and blocker from last season, including senior outside hitter Maggie Lightheart. An All-CUSA Second Team selection, Lightheart led the Aggies in kills (355), points (445.5) and service aces (59) in 2025 while adding 263 digs and 54 total blocks across 112 sets.
Lightheart also led Conference USA in service aces (59) and aces per set (0.53).
The Aggies boast a 21-player roster that features eight newcomers. NM State will likely turn to a new full-time setter after losing its top three from a season ago.
- Series History: NM State leads, 68-29-1
- Ben Wallis vs. NM State: 7-4
- Last Meeting: UTEP won, 3-0
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