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Savannah Hosts SEC Volleyball; LSU Soccer Ranked 16th

8/6/2026

37 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

SEC Tournament Starts

The 2026 Allstate SEC Volleyball Tournament will be held at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Ga., with play on Nov. 20 and the championship on Nov. 24.
The AVCA First Serve Showcase in Milwaukee on Aug. 21 features Louisville vs. Texas A&M and Kentucky vs. Wisconsin.
ESPN will broadcast over 2,400 women’s volleyball matches, including the 2026 NCAA tournament’s semifinals on Dec. 17 and championship on Dec. 20 at the San Antonio Alamodome.

Summary

LSU Soccer Breakthrough

LSU women’s soccer reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2025, its first appearance at that stage.
Head coach Sian Hudson returned for her seventh season to build on the breakthrough.
LSU opened 2026 ranked No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, reflecting national recognition.
ESPN+ and the SEC Network will provide expanded coverage, streaming over 1,750 matches and airing 17 SEC games plus the tournament Nov. 8-15.

History

Historical Context

The NCAA took over women’s volleyball from the AIAW in 1981, running a 20-team championship that grew to 64 teams by 1998. That expansion paved the way for massive TV coverage, with ESPN scheduling more than 2,400 matches for the 2026 season. Today the SEC tournament at Enmarket Arena and LSU’s soccer slate illustrate the sport’s now-major revenue role.

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SEC Tournament Starts

The 2026 Allstate SEC Volleyball Tournament will be held at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Ga., with play on Nov. 20 and the championship on Nov. 24.
The AVCA First Serve Showcase in Milwaukee on Aug. 21 features Louisville vs. Texas A&M and Kentucky vs. Wisconsin.
ESPN will broadcast over 2,400 women’s volleyball matches, including the 2026 NCAA tournament’s semifinals on Dec. 17 and championship on Dec. 20 at the San Antonio Alamodome.

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