Oakland University volleyball begins its 50th year as a varsity program Friday, Aug. 28, facing Binghamton at 2:30 p.m. at the Rocket Invitational in Toledo.

Head coach Krista Rice's squad will play three matches over the weekend, according to the program's season preview. After the opener against the Bearcats, the Golden Grizzlies face Bradley at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, then close against host Toledo at 7 p.m. that evening. The Toledo match will stream on ESPN+.

Oakland went 7-23 overall and 7-11 in Horizon League play in 2025. The league's preseason poll projects the Golden Grizzlies to finish ninth this fall, two spots below where they ended last season.

Rice returns a bulk of her roster, anchored by seniors Kalli Cook, Ella Martin and Ella Schomer. Five newcomers join the program after exhibition wins over Grand Valley State and Wayne State earlier in August.

The weekend field includes a reigning conference champion. Toledo won the Mid-American Conference Tournament and earned its first NCAA Tournament berth last season. Head coach Brian Wright's Rockets were named the 2026 MAC preseason favorite, with four players selected to the conference preseason team.

Oakland leads the all-time series against Binghamton 1-0. Sunday's match against Bradley will be the fourth meeting between the programs. Bradley took 3-1 wins in 2005 and 2019 before Oakland won in five sets in 2021. Braves head coach Alicia Williams, in her fifth season, brought in six newcomers after a 13-15 campaign in 2025.

Toledo leads the all-time series 9-4, but Oakland has won the last two meetings. The Golden Grizzlies' last trip to Savage Arena, in 2023, ended in a five-set road victory that went to extra points.