The program is classified in the NCAA Division I, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference.

While the program was moderately successful through much of their early years, finishing with just over a .500 winning percentage in the 1970s, Kansas State Volleyball struggled throughout much of the 1980s and early 1990s, not making a single NCAA tournament appearance or finishing with an above .500 record in Big Eight play.

Jim McLaughlin followed Jim Moore in the 1997 season, leading the program to four more consecutive NCAA Tournament berths during each year of his tenure, including their first ever NCAA Sweet Sixteen berth in the 2000 season.

[3] His time as head coach of the program marked a period of continued success for the Wildcats.

The Kansas State volleyball team served as the U.S. national squad at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Russia.