EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The 2026 SIUE women's volleyball team will help welcome students back to campus Saturday, hosting Cougar Rally, an exhibition matchup against local rival Saint Louis.

The Cougars will face the Billikens at 6 p.m. at First Community Arena.

Cougar Rally, which will serve as SIUE Athletics' student welcome event, is completely free to attend and is expected to draw more than 1,500 students inside the Arena to cheer on the volleyball team. This weekend's matchup marks the first time SIUE Volleyball will be hosting the event.

The Cougars enter the 2026 season with seven newcomers on the roster, including four freshmen and three transfers. Saturday's match will provide SIUE with its final opportunity for a tune-up ahead of the regular season, opening with a huge SEC matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks as part of the Arkansas Razorback Invitational (Aug. 28-29).  

Fans are encouraged to attend, wear their SIUE gear, and cheer on the Cougars!