NSU Volleyball Returns After Four-Decade Absence

NSU Volleyball Returns After Four-Decade Absence

A new chapter of athletics is beginning in Tahlequah as NSU volleyball prepares to return to competition for the first time in roughly four decades.

Northeastern State University last fielded volleyball in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Now, a new head coach and 16-player roster are preparing to build the RiverHawks program from the ground up — while creating a new piece of NSU history.

NSU volleyball begins a new era in Tahlequah

Head coach Maria Jacobus was hired in February to lead the revived NSU volleyball program, taking on everything from securing equipment to assembling an entirely new roster.

According to Northeastern State University Athletics, Jacobus previously served as an assistant women's volleyball coach and director of operations at the University of Idaho and was head coach at Wenatchee Valley College from 2022 through 2024.

At NSU, however, she started essentially from zero.

“The other program I had was kind of established. Had equipment, so it’s definitely a little different than what we have here, where we had no equipment, didn’t have a single ball,” Jacobus said.

Building a roster presented another challenge. But Jacobus also had a recruiting pitch no established program could offer: the opportunity to be first.

“Not only are you guys going to be making records for the first year, but at the same time you’re also going to be having your name down in a book that will never get erased. Ever,” Jacobus said.

Junior middle blocker Lanie Brown was among the players attracted to that opportunity. The Wagoner native transferred to Northeastern State after two seasons at NEO and said returning closer to home made the experience even more meaningful.

“I’ve came here for wrestling tournaments for my sister and brother. Played soccer games here in high school. Just seeing it all come to life is super cool,” Brown said.

RiverHawks build a program and culture from scratch

For the 16 players on the roster, the first season is about more than wins and losses.

The players are also establishing what the program will look and feel like for the athletes who follow them.

That has required bringing together players from different backgrounds and previous programs while establishing expectations for a team without an existing RiverHawks volleyball culture.

“It hasn’t been as hard as you would think trying to blend a bunch of girls that don’t know each other together,” Brown said. “There’s so many girls from so many different areas, so it’s a lot of different personalities you have to try to mix together.”

The volleyball revival is part of a much larger expansion of athletics at Northeastern State. The university announced in 2025 that it would add seven varsity teams over two years, including men's and women's wrestling and volleyball during the 2026-27 academic year.

The NSU athletics expansion plan is expected to eventually bring more than 300 additional student-athletes to Northeastern State while increasing the number of varsity sports offered by the university to 18.

For Tahlequah, that expansion also means additional home athletic events, visiting teams, families and spectators coming into the community.

First home match set for September 18

The RiverHawks won't have to wait much longer to finally take the court.

Northeastern State will play an exhibition match at Oral Roberts University on August 24 before opening regular-season competition August 28-29 in Joplin, Missouri.

The team then travels to Lawton and Edmond for additional tournament play before a moment four decades in the making arrives in Tahlequah.

According to the official 2026 RiverHawks volleyball schedule, Northeastern State will make its home debut against Missouri Southern on September 18 at the NSU Event Center as part of Community Day. NSU will play eight home matches during its inaugural NCAA season.

For Brown, the anticipation surrounding that first home match is already building.

“Adrenaline is going to be on 100. I know that,” Brown said. “I imagine it will be pretty packed. I’m excited.”

Jacobus said she has already experienced enthusiasm from people in Tahlequah who recognize NSU volleyball gear and approach her about the program's return.

That community connection is part of what she hopes the RiverHawks establish during their first season.

The records, victories and losses will eventually come. But the first roster has something no future NSU volleyball team can duplicate.

“These girls have their name in the record book as the first-ever Riverhawk volleyball,” Jacobus said, “and nobody can take that from them.”

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