Missouri volleyball’s 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic in recent program history. With a roster featuring 17 returning players, three new transfers, and a coaching staff entering their first full season of collaboration, the Tigers are set to unveil a new and evolving identity. As the Black and Gold Scrimmage approaches on Saturday, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the new pieces fit together and what the future holds under head coach Dawn Sullivan.
Chemistry: A New Foundation
Since Dawn Sullivan took over the Missouri volleyball program, the Tigers have established themselves as one of the most consistent teams in the SEC. But this year marks a major transition. For the first time in the program’s recent history, the Tigers are missing key leaders like Maya Sands and Janet deMarrais, who played critical roles in the team’s rise over the past several seasons. Their absence has left a noticeable void in terms of both production and leadership.
The team now faces the challenge of building a new identity. With a blend of transfers, returning players, and underclassmen stepping into larger roles, the focus is on developing the trust and communication needed to succeed in high-pressure situations. That includes everything from serve receive to clutch play during long rallies. While the talent is present, chemistry isn’t something that can be taught in a practice drill. It must be built over time, and the early season will be critical in determining how quickly this group can come together as a unit.
Saturday’s scrimmage will be the first public opportunity to see this team in action. While it won’t answer all the questions surrounding the squad, it should provide a glimpse into how the players are responding to the changes and how quickly they’re adjusting to new roles and expectations.
Toughest Nonconference Schedule Yet
Missouri has never faced a nonconference schedule like the one it will encounter in the 2026 season. The Tigers are set to open with a trip to Wrigley Field, where they will play against one of college volleyball’s most consistent powerhouses, Nebraska.
Beyond that marquee matchup, the Tigers will also take on Oregon and Louisville — two programs known for their deep NCAA Tournament runs. These opponents represent the cream of the crop in terms of competition, and playing them early in the season is no accident. The intent is to push Missouri to its limits and force the team to grow rapidly, even if it means facing long stretches of adversity.
This nonconference schedule is among the most challenging of Sullivan’s career, and for good reason. If the Tigers can gain valuable experience and learn from these contests, they will be in a strong position when conference play begins in October. These games aren’t just about results — they’re about building a foundation for the postseason. Every loss to a top-tier opponent could be a resume-builder later in the year, while wins would signal a dramatic shift in the team’s national standing.
Missouri volleyball has long relied on its speed, defensive agility, and quick transition play to dominate opponents. This strategy has served the team well, but it has also created challenges when facing teams with a significant size and physicality advantage. That was one of the recurring questions throughout the Sullivan era — how does a team with limited height at the net compete against SEC programs and NCAA Tournament contenders with towering blockers and attackers?
To address this issue, Sullivan made a strategic move in the offseason by adding more size to the roster. Freshman Eva Smith at 6-foot-4, 6-foot-3 transfer Ceylin Kuyan, and Lauren Larkin, a 6-foot-2 transfer with prior college experience, bring welcome height and versatility to the squad. These additions will give the Tigers more options in the rotation and allow for better net presence during key points in matches. However, it remains to be seen whether these players will be enough to counter the dominant physicality of the SEC’s top programs.
Missouri doesn’t need to become the tallest team in the conference to succeed. But it does need to find a way to avoid being overmatched in critical moments. This season could hinge on whether the Tigers can maintain their fast-paced style while also developing the physical tools to compete with taller opponents. In high-stakes games — especially those in the NCAA Tournament — a team that can't match an opponent's size and power may find itself at a disadvantage.
The Black and Gold Scrimmage will mark the beginning of a new era for Missouri volleyball. With chemistry, scheduling, and size all in play, the Tigers face a season full of potential and uncertainty. As the program takes its first steps into this uncharted territory, the answers will start to reveal themselves over the coming weeks.