Two of the top NAIA men’s volleyball teams from earlier this decade will now renew their rivalry at the NCAA Division I-II level.
Jamestown as part of unveiling its 2027 schedule announced it will play a non-conference road match against Vanguard on Feb. 2.
This will be the first meeting between the two programs since Jamestown and Vanguard both transitioned to NCAA Division II. Vanguard leads the all-time series 2-1, including sweeping Jamestown in the 2023 NAIA National Tournament en route to winning the NAIA national championship.
Jamestown in its inaugural year at the NCAA Division I-II level and with a roster primarily comprised of freshmen finished last season at 7-24 and in last place in the GLVC. Among the starters slated to return for the Jimmies includes outside attacker Ladarius Williams who led the team in both digs and aces.
Vanguard as a second-year MPSF program qualified for the conference tournament and had a winning record in conference play last season. Outside attacker Grant Veldman also was in the top 15 of the MPSF with a 2.73 kills per game average.
The match against Vanguard will be part of an eight-match in eight days California road trip for Jamestown.
The Jimmies, the only NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball team in North Dakota, will have a nation-high 25 road or neutral site matches during the upcoming season. In addition, Jamestown for the second consecutive year will play every GLVC match on the road.
Jamestown’s season opening two-match series against the NAIA school Spring Arbor will be the team’s only home matches of the season.
2027 Jamestown schedule
Jan. 23 vs. Spring Arbor
Jan. 24 vs. Spring Arbor
Jan. 29 at Hope International
Jan. 29 vs. Benedictine-Mesa (at Hope International)
Jan. 30 vs. Soka (at Hope International)
Jan. 30 vs. Simson (at Hope International)
Jan. 30 vs. La Sierra (at Hope International)
Feb. 2 at Vanguard
Feb. 3 at Menlo
Feb. 5 at The Master’s
Feb. 18 at Spring Arbor
Feb. 19 vs. Defiance (at Spring Arbor)
Feb. 26 at Viterbo
Feb. 27 vs. Saint Ambrose (at Viterbo)
Feb. 27 vs. Saint Xaiver (at Viterbo)
March 5 at Rockhurst
March 6 at Rockhurst
March 12 at Quincy
March 13 at Quincy
March 19 at Missouri S&T
March 20 at Missouri S&T
March 26 at Maryville
March 27 at Maryville
April 2 at Southwest Baptist
April 3 at Southwest Baptist
April 9 at Roosevelt
April 10 at Roosevelt