The Illinois Springfield volleyball team returns to TRAC for a pair of home matches during Homecoming week, hosting Drury on Friday at 6 p.m. and Southwest Baptist on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Friday night's match against the Drury Panthers will feature DJ TAT, a UIS alumnus known for his work at Big Ten Conference events and Illinois football and basketball games. The evening will also include giveaways for Prairie Stars fans, including T-shirts for UIS students.

Homecoming Saturday at UIS  will take on a Route 66 twist as UIS Athletics hosts a special Route 66 Hospitality Lounge during the Prairie Stars' volleyball match against Southwest Baptist on Saturday, Oct. 10. Doors open at 1 p.m. ahead of 2 p.m. first serve.

The Prairie Stars will host Southwest Baptist at 2 p.m. inside The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC), with the Route 66 Hospitality Lounge offering fans a unique way to experience the match while celebrating the Mother Road's 100th anniversary.

The UIS men's soccer team lost to UIndy by a score of 2-1 Wednesday night during Homecoming Week. The Prairie Stars generated five of their seven shots after halftime but were outshot 7-3 on goal.

The Prairie Stars kept UIndy off the board in the first half, with Kevin Kardel making three saves as the visitors generated repeated shots. Robin Lemke Bergseth put Illinois Springfield's early chance on frame in the third minute, but the half would end without a goal.

Illinois Springfield Women's Soccer defeated UIndy 2-1 Wednesday in a comeback win with goals by two defenders. 

UIS spent much of the first half in UIndy's end, earning three corner kicks in the opening 12 minutes and getting saved shots from Mallory Herber and Kalli Drexler around Addi Wittenberg's shot off the crossbar. The pressure returned late when Aubrey Quigley and Maddie Festerling put shots on frame and the Prairie Stars added two more corners, but UIndy scored through Jaci Merchant at 44:47 to send UIS into halftime trailing 1-0.

A missed call from a Springfield area code caught Alyssa Hasler's attention. The message that followed was brief, but unmistakably upbeat. Moments later, she learned she would be inducted into the Prairie Stars Hall of Fame.

"I was just honestly so happy and thrilled, but also feeling so shocked, blessed," Hasler said.

The UIS men's basketball team has announced its schedule for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The Prairie Stars return much of their core and welcome several newcomers as they prepare for the 2026-27 season under eighth-year head coach Matt Brock. 

UIS will tip off its season with a home opener against Millikin on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. The game will be part of a doubleheader at TRAC, following the women's opener against Purdue Northwest.

The UIS Women's Basketball program is gearing up for an exciting 2026-27 season. With 15 home games, the Prairie Stars are set to bring plenty of basketball action to their fans at The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC) in Springfield.

Illinois Springfield men's soccer will host Indianapolis Wednesday evening for its annual Homecoming match before traveling to Maryville for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday.

Wednesday's match is set for 6:30 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium and follows the women's soccer Homecoming matchup against Indianapolis at 4 p.m., creating a Prairie Stars soccer doubleheader. The Homecoming game day will feature tailgates at both ends of Kiwanis Stadium, Homecoming T-shirt giveaways for UIS students and boom stick and mini pennant giveaways for all fans.

Illinois Springfield women's soccer will play a home-and-away week in Great Lakes Valley Conference play, beginning with a Homecoming matchup against Indianapolis at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Kiwanis Stadium. The Prairie Stars will then travel to face Maryville at noon Saturday.