FLORENCE, Ala. (January 30, 2026) – University of North Alabama Beach Volleyball head coach Kaleb VanDePerre announced the Spring 2026 schedule on Friday, revealing the 34-match slate for the upcoming season.
VanDePerre — the 2024 ASUN Coach of the Year — preps to lead the Lions in his fourth season at the helm. North Alabama returns to action looking towards another competitive season in 2026.
The Lions went had a solid campaign at 18-15 with a 7-4 record in the Atlantic Sun Conference. UNA capped the year with two wins in the ASUN Championship Tournament with victories over Jacksonville and EKU. It marked the third-straight season in which North Alabama finished with 18 or more wins.
North Alabama earned a combined 15 postseason honors, including the program's first-ever ASUN Pair of the Year honor in former standout Katy Floyd and current senior Selma Robinson. The Lions' conference honors included two First Team All-ASUN nods, a Second Team All-ASUN selection, three ASUN All-Freshman team selections and two Academic All-ASUN awards.
Senior Hailey Benesz added an American Volleyball Coaches Association Top Flight award with Kaitlyn Holbrook, and the Lions also had four College Sport Communicators Academic All-District selections in Floyd, Robinson, senior Lucy Wedding and Ryenne Gepford. North Alabama concluded the award haul with an AVCA Team Academic Award.
"We're really excited about this year's schedule and the opportunities to compete with some of the best teams in the country," says VanDePerre. "Our conference should have three top-20 teams so preparing with ranked matchups throughout the year is a major priority. We're excited to see some new teams this year from the west coast and really excited to be hosting two weekends in the Shoals. We're really confident in this group and the growth they've shown, and we're excited to pursue this season in our true identity as a team and as individuals!"
The Lions open the season with the FSU Unconquered Invitational from Feb. 20-21. UNA will take on the host Seminoles, along with bouts vs. Georgia State, Cal St. Bakersfield, Southeastern Louisiana and UAB. The end of the month finds the Lions in Baton Rouge, La. to compete in the Tiger Beach Bash. Hosted by LSU, North Alabama will see action against the Tigers, as well as Tulane, Southern Mississippi, Houston Christian and Louisiana Monroe on Feb. 27-28.
UNA's first bout in March comes at the Stetson Spring Invitational on March 13-14. The Lions will compete against two ASUN foes in Stetson and FGCU to go with contests against Texas A&M – Corpus Christi and Southern Miss.
The following week will be the March to May at UAB, facing the Blazers, fellow ASUN member Austin Peay and South Carolina from the SEC on March 20-21. The Lions end action in March hosting the Shoals Beach Bash in Florence. UNA will welcome Spring Hill College, EKU, Tusculum and Austin Peay to the UNA Beach Volleyball Courts.
A four-event slate in April starts with the GSU Diggin' Duals from April 3-4 at Georgia State. The Lions will see action vs. UAB, South Florida, Mercer and the Sandy Panthers. North Alabama next travels to Chattanooga for the Scenic City Showdown from April 10-11. UNA faces EKU, Berry College, UT Martin and the Mocs.
The regular-season finale falls on April 16-17 with Senior Weekend against Missouri State, Central Arkansas and Southeastern Louisiana in Florence.
Postseason play begins with the 2026 ASUN Championship from April 22-24 in Huntsville, Ala.
To view the schedule, click here.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
