Indiana University Athletics
Volleyball Foreign Tour Set for Summer 2026
2/23/2026 4:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – For the first time since 2022, the Indiana volleyball program will take a European summer tour as it prepares for the upcoming campaign. Per NCAA rules, teams are allowed a foreign tour once every four years to play international competition. IU will head to Turkey, Spain and Portugal has part of a near two-week (May and June) training trip overseas.
"We are excited to take this group overseas this summer," head coach Steve Aird said. "We have a young and talented roster heading into next season. The opportunity to train, compete and spend time together will be so important heading into the new year. The tour will test us against some fantastic opponents and provide a first-class cultural experience for our team. The support of Athletic Director Scott Dolson, the athletic department and the Women's Excellence Initiative continues to be extraordinary. We look forward to representing Indiana University and are extremely grateful for the opportunity."
This summer's volleyball tour is made possible by the IU Athletics Women's Excellence initiative. The mission of the IU Athletics Women's Excellence is to raise private support to elevate its 13 women's varsity sports and to enhance the overall student-athlete experience of IU's female student-athletes. The Hoosiers went to Europe ahead of the 2022 season as part of the first foreign trip during Aird's tenure.
IU will fly out of Chicago and make its way to Istanbul to begin the first leg of the trip. Aird and his 2026 team will play three matches against youth teams (U21/U23) from top clubs in the area. The women's Sultanlar Ligi in Turkey is often considered one of the two best (Italy) volleyball leagues in the world.
From Istanbul, IU will fly to Madrid, Spain – home of former All-Big Ten outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles. The Hoosiers will get to experience the cultural ambience of the Spanish capital city while playing a match against one of the top local clubs. IU will also play a match in Soria, two hours north of Madrid, before departing the country.
The final leg of IU's tour takes the program to Lisbon, Portugal. The Hoosiers will spend three nights in the capital city to wrap up their trip. A match against a mixed team in the region will be the final competitive test before allowing players the chance to explore the biggest city in the country. IU will depart back to Chicago from Lisbon.
After making the NCAA regional semifinals for the first time since 2010, Aird and the Hoosiers return a talented roster that is eager to repeat success. Incoming freshman defensive specialist Ellie Hepler will join the rest of the spring roster ahead of the trip to travel over to Europe. IU will be allowed 10 additional practice dates ahead of the tour in May.
2026 Indiana Volleyball Foreign Tour - Destinations
- Istanbul Turkey; Madrid, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal
"We are excited to take this group overseas this summer," head coach Steve Aird said. "We have a young and talented roster heading into next season. The opportunity to train, compete and spend time together will be so important heading into the new year. The tour will test us against some fantastic opponents and provide a first-class cultural experience for our team. The support of Athletic Director Scott Dolson, the athletic department and the Women's Excellence Initiative continues to be extraordinary. We look forward to representing Indiana University and are extremely grateful for the opportunity."
This summer's volleyball tour is made possible by the IU Athletics Women's Excellence initiative. The mission of the IU Athletics Women's Excellence is to raise private support to elevate its 13 women's varsity sports and to enhance the overall student-athlete experience of IU's female student-athletes. The Hoosiers went to Europe ahead of the 2022 season as part of the first foreign trip during Aird's tenure.
IU will fly out of Chicago and make its way to Istanbul to begin the first leg of the trip. Aird and his 2026 team will play three matches against youth teams (U21/U23) from top clubs in the area. The women's Sultanlar Ligi in Turkey is often considered one of the two best (Italy) volleyball leagues in the world.
From Istanbul, IU will fly to Madrid, Spain – home of former All-Big Ten outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles. The Hoosiers will get to experience the cultural ambience of the Spanish capital city while playing a match against one of the top local clubs. IU will also play a match in Soria, two hours north of Madrid, before departing the country.
The final leg of IU's tour takes the program to Lisbon, Portugal. The Hoosiers will spend three nights in the capital city to wrap up their trip. A match against a mixed team in the region will be the final competitive test before allowing players the chance to explore the biggest city in the country. IU will depart back to Chicago from Lisbon.
After making the NCAA regional semifinals for the first time since 2010, Aird and the Hoosiers return a talented roster that is eager to repeat success. Incoming freshman defensive specialist Ellie Hepler will join the rest of the spring roster ahead of the trip to travel over to Europe. IU will be allowed 10 additional practice dates ahead of the tour in May.
2026 Indiana Volleyball Foreign Tour - Destinations
- Istanbul Turkey; Madrid, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal
Players Mentioned
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