University of Houston Athletics
Volleyball to Play in Inaugural Paradise Invitational
2/23/2026 12:17:00 PM | Volleyball
Cougars head to Nassau for tournament with SMU, Purdue, Kentucky
HOUSTON – This fall, Houston Volleyball heads to paradise.
The Paradise Invitational will make its debut as a first-of-its-kind, premium destination, four-team NCAA women's volleyball showcase, bringing together Houston,Kentucky, Purdue and SMU —one elite program from each Power 4 conference - to compete. Taking place September 11-13 at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas, the weekend promises top-tier competition and immersive fan experiences that provide an unforgettable weekend for teams, supporters, and the sport itself. Tickets will go on sale March 16th at ParadiseInvitational.com.
Designed to reimagine what a collegiate volleyball event can be, the Paradise Invitational is built to bring in elite programs from across the country each year, creating a consistent, marquee early-season stage for NCAA women's volleyball. With its blend of high-level competition, premium hospitality, and exclusive fan access, the showcase is set to become a must-attend fixture on the collegiate volleyball calendar as a new annual destination event.
"The Paradise Invitational is about elevating the entire experience," said Glenn Smith, CEO of GS Global Sports. "This isn't just matches on a court—it's access, atmosphere, and world-class volleyball coming together in a way that hasn't been done before in a beautiful setting. We want players, coaches and fans to be able to experience and enjoy playing elite level competition while also providing an opportunity to experience beautiful scenery and culture."
The inaugural field features four nationally recognized programs:
- Houston — 3X Conference Champions, 21X NCAA Tournament Bids
- Quote from Head Coach David Rehr:Â
"After how successful our foreign tour was in 2025, we were really excited to get the chance to build that same chemistry while competing against high level teams in another beautiful location. Being part of the inaugural tournament is special and we're excited to help shine a spotlight on our team and the sport."
- Quote from Head Coach David Rehr:Â
- Kentucky — 14X Conference Champions, 27X NCAA Tournament Bids, 2020 National Champion, 2025 NCAA Tour Runner-Up
- Quote from Head Coach Craig Skinner:
"The Paradise Invitational offers us a chance to compete in the non-conference portion of our schedule against some of the best teams in the country in a unique location that can help grow the game while growing our team, as well. It gives us the chance to showcase our athleticism and talent on an international scale while having an experience of a lifetime at a world-class resort in a new city for most of our team."
- Quote from Head Coach Craig Skinner:
- Purdue — 2X Conference Champions, 29X NCAA Tournament Bids, 6X NCAA Sweet 16, 2025 Elite 8
- Quote from Head Coach Dave Shondell
"This is the first tournament of its kind being played in the Bahamas, and it's certainly not a cupcake tournament. We're playing quality teams - three of the four teams advanced to the Regional Semifinals last year. It's elite competition, the kind of matchups you'll see come December, only it's September. Purdue's never taken a trip like this in-season, so it's a special opportunity and should make for a fun, historic and action-packed trip.
- Quote from Head Coach Dave Shondell
- SMU — 3X Conference Champions, 5X NCAA Tournament Bids, 2025 Sweet 16
- Quote from Head Coach Sam Erger:
"Events like this are big time, and we've seen them happening in men's basketball for years. Women's volleyball has stepped up to the national stage and has the fan bases and excitement to participate in these exciting opportunities. Great teams, great location and a great opportunity to elevate our sport."
- Quote from Head Coach Sam Erger:
The event also marks a significant moment in the growth of women's volleyball, reflecting the sport's expanding audience and demand for innovative, marquee-stage experiences. Additional details, including ticket packages, match schedules, media rights and fan programming, will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information and updates, follow The Paradise Invitational on social media at @ParadiseInvitational or visit www.paradiseinvitational.com.
About The Paradise Invitational
The Paradise Invitational is a premium NCAA women's volleyball multi-team event (MTE) featuring four elite programs—one from each Power 4 conference—competing in a destination setting. Launched in the Bahamas, the event combines world-class collegiate volleyball with immersive fan access and curated programming to deliver a first-of-its-kind experience for the sport.
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