Xavier University Athletics

CINCINNATI – Xavier volleyball announced the complete 2025 schedule this afternoon, which kicks off on Friday, Aug. 29. The Musketeers’ schedule is comprised of three round robin tournaments and three standalone non-conference matches before the 16-game BIG EAST schedule gets underway.

Xavier will face opponents from six different conferences outside the BIG EAST this season including the ASUN, Big 12, Horizon, MAC, Missouri Valley, and Ohio Valley. XU has a 70-67 all-time record against all 11 non-conference opponents this season.

The Musketeers will face three teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season, two of which advanced to the Sweet 16 and one with an Elite 8 appearance.

Head Coach Christy Pfeffenberger returns 12 players from last season’s squad with the addition of two transfers and three other newcomers. The 2025 squad is comprised of one grad student, three seniors, six juniors, four sophomores, and three freshmen. 

“This upcoming season is exciting to think about because of so many unknowns. We have many new opponents in our non-conference that will bring about new challenges,” said Pfeffenberger. “The BIG EAST Conference itself is full of some top tier returners along with fresh talent which will make for a thrilling season. Our team worked hard in our off season bringing together our returners and younger players. I couldn’t be more excited to continue to show our fans what Xavier Volleyball is all about.”

The Musketeers earned six player of the week honors, six honor roll nods and one postseason award with redshirt sophomore Margo Kemp being named the BIG EAST Co-Freshman of the Year last season.

Xavier looks to return to the BIG EAST Tournament this season, hosted by Marquette in Milwaukee from Nov. 21-22.

The Musketeers’ 2025 season begins with a trip to Clarksville, Tennessee to compete in the Stacheville Challenge hosted by Austin Peay from Aug. 29-30. The four-team tournament also consists of Tennessee Tech and Murray State. Xavier has a combined 15-3 record against all three opponents in the field.

XU will open the home slate the following weekend, hosting its own tournament at Cintas Center. IU Indy, Miami (OH), and Eastern Kentucky will all visit Cincinnati for a round robin from Sept. 4-6. Xavier is facing Miami (OH) for the second straight year.

The Musketeers travel to face crosstown rival Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena on Sept. 9. Xavier has won two of the last three against the Bearcats, including a 3-1 win the last time UC hosted. The Musketeers and Bearcats have played each other 38 times.

Xavier will head to Rochester, Michigan from Sept. 12-13 to compete in the Oakland Tournament. The Musketeers will face Oakland for just the second time in program history. Eastern Michigan and Southern Illinois will also be in attendance. The Musketeers have won the last four straight against EMU while XU and SIU will face off for the first time in program history.

XU will round out non-conference play with a pair of matches against Morehead State. The Eagles will host the first on Sept. 18 in Morehead, Kentucky, before traveling to Cincinnati on Sept. 20. MSU earned the Ohio Valley’s NCAA Tournament bid in the 2024 season. Xavier has won the last four straight against the Eagles, most recently in 2013.

The Musketeers open BIG EAST play on Sept. 24 when Butler visits the Cintas Center. The Musketeers are 25-19 all-time against the Bulldogs, winning four of the last five including a sweep last season at home. This will mark the third straight meeting between the two at Cintas Center and their lone match up this season.

Xavier will travel to face reigning BIG EAST champion Creighton on Sept. 26 in Omaha, Nebraska for their lone meeting this season. The Bluejays have won 10 of the last 11 conference championships and made an appearance in the NCAA Quarterfinals last fall. The Musketeers defeated Creighton in a 3-2 thriller on Sept. 23, 2023 in Cintas Center.

XU will then face Georgetown on Oct. 3 and Villanova on Oct. 4 for a weekend on the road. The Musketeers have won the last 10 straight against GU including two 3-1 wins in the 2024 season. Xavier dropped both matches against VU last season but are still 12-10 all time against the Wildcats.

UConn and Providence will visit Cintas Center on Oct. 10 and 11, respectively. The Musketeers have won three of the last four against UConn, splitting both matches last season. XU took down the Huskies in a five-set thriller at home on Oct. 25, 2024. Xavier is 19-2 all time against PC, winning the last five straight against the Friars.

Xavier hits the road again with trips to Marquette on Oct. 17 and DePaul on Oct. 18. MU was the BIG EAST runner-up a season ago and made it to the NCAA Sweet 16. DePaul took down the Musketeers in the teams’ lone match up last season, but Xavier still owns a 21-11 record over the Blue Demons. DePaul is making its first trip to Cincinnati since the 2023 season.

The Musketeers will host St. John’s on Oct. 24 and Seton Hall on Oct. 25 for the singular match ups against both teams this season. Xavier and SJU split both matches last season with each team sweeping the other in their home arenas. XU and SHU also split both of their meetings last season with the Musketeers taking a 3-2 win on the road over the Pirates. Xavier is 17-5 all time against SHU, winning five of the last six.

Xavier will play Villanova and Georgetown for a second time this season on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, respectively. The Musketeers will travel for second match ups against Providence on Nov. 7 and UConn on Nov. 8. The regular season wraps up at home for the Musketeers with visits from DePaul on Nov. 15 and Marquette on Nov. 16 in Cintas Center.

The BIG EAST Tournament will welcome four teams this year for a two-day tournament in Milwaukee hosted by Marquette. The semi-finals start on Nov. 21 while the championship game takes place on Nov. 22.