FAIRBANKS - The 2025 co-Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) champions return to action in 2026 with a loaded schedule and plenty of opportunities for fans to support the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team inside the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium at the Patty Center.
2026 Alaska Nanooks Volleyball Schedule
The 2026 season unofficially begins Saturday, Aug. 15, when the Nanooks host their annual Blue/Gold Scrimmage at 2 p.m. Fans can get their first look at the team with free admission, while the scrimmage will also be available to watch on the GNAC Network. The regular season opens Aug. 20-22 in Hawaii at the Hawaii-Alaska Challenge, hosted by Hawai?i Hilo. Alaska will face Hawai?i Pacific, Chaminade and Hawai?i Hilo before returning to Anchorage the following week.
The Nanooks then compete in the UAA Volleyball Invitational Aug. 27-29, facing Chico State on opening day, Texas Woman's University on Aug. 28 and Lenoir-Rhyne on Aug. 29. Alaska opens its home schedule with the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic, welcoming Alaska Anchorage, Fresno Pacific, Minnesota State Mankato and Tiffin to the Patty Center.
The Nanooks' home opener is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, against Tiffin and will feature a postgame poster signing for all fans in attendance. Alaska faces Minnesota State Mankato at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, before closing the Classic against Fresno Pacific at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. Saturday will also feature the Fourth Annual Alaska Nanooks Food Truck Rally, running from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fans who purchase food at the rally will receive free admission to any Saturday volleyball match.
GNAC play begins the following week, with the Nanooks hosting Montana State Billings at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. The match will serve as the annual Elementary Field Day. Alaska then welcomes Seattle Pacific at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, for Alumni Night and Western Night. The Nanooks hit the road for their first GNAC matches away from home Sept. 17-19, visiting Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington. Alaska returns to the Patty Center for three consecutive home matches, beginning Thursday, Sept. 24, against Simon Fraser. The Sept. 24-26 homestand also includes a matchup with Western Washington and will feature a Canned Food Drive and Volleyball Community Day.
The Nanooks' Oct. 1 matchup with Alaska Anchorage will feature the annual Whiteout and Pack the Patty, with Alaska aiming to welcome more than 1,000 fans to the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium. Following a road trip to Saint Martin's and Western Oregon Oct. 8-10, Alaska returns home for Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night on Oct. 15 against Central Washington. The Nanooks then host Western Washington on Oct. 17 for Go Pink with the 'Nooks.
After three consecutive road matches, Alaska returns home for its final two matches of the regular season. The Nanooks host Western Oregon on Thursday, Nov. 5, for Military Appreciation Night, before closing the home schedule Saturday, Nov. 7, against Saint Martin's for Senior Day.
The Nanooks conclude the regular season on the road, visiting Seattle Pacific on Nov. 12 and Montana State Billings on Nov. 14.
"This year's schedule has been built with the postseason in mind," said head coach Brian Scott. "We want to prepare ourselves to compete at the highest levels. Competing against regional powerhouses like Fresno Pacific, Chaminade, Hawaii Hilo, Minnesota Mankato, and Lenoir Rhyne will give us a great taste for what competition on the national stage could look like. As always, competition in the GNAC is extremely tough. With four teams tying for a championship last year and five teams making the NCAA tournament, the race for a conference championship is sure to be a battle again this year. We are looking forward to another great year of volleyball!"
Following a historic 2025 season that saw Alaska earn its first-ever NCAA Division II West Region Championship berth, the Nanooks will look to make another postseason run in 2026.
2026 Home Games & Themes
Aug. 15 - 2 p.m. vs. Blue/Gold Scrimmage, Free Admission
Sept. 3 - 7 p.m. vs. Tiffin, Postgame Poster Signing
Sept. 4 - 7 p.m. vs. Minnesota State, Mankato
Sept. 5 - 7 p.m. vs. Fresno Pacific, Food Truck Rally
Sept. 10 - 11 a.m. vs. Montana State Billings, Elementary Field Day
Sept. 12 - 2 p.m. vs. Seattle Pacific, Alumni & Western Night
Sept. 24 - 7 p.m. vs. Simon Fraser, Canned Food Drive
Sept. 26 - 2 p.m. vs. Western Washington, Volleyball Community Day
Oct. 1 - 7 p.m. vs. Alaska Anchorage, Whiteout & Pack the Patty 1k
Oct. 15 - 7 p.m. vs. Central Washington, Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night
Oct. 17 - 2 p.m. vs. Northwest Nazarene, Go Pink w/ the 'Nooks
Nov. 5 - 7 p.m. vs. Western Oregon, Military Appreciation Night
Nov. 7 - 1 p.m. vs. Saint Martin's, Senior Day
All home matches during the 2026 season can be viewed on the GNAC Network. Away matches during GNAC play will also be available on the GNAC Network.
Follow the 'Nooks
IG - @NanooksVB
X - @NanooksVB
FB - Alaska Nanooks Volleyball
