NCAA volleyball matches are typically held in large arenas that can accommodate 15-20,000 fans. However, on Wednesday night, something extraordinary happened. A staggering crowd of 92,003 people gathered at the iconic Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, to witness a volleyball match between the University of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska-Omaha. This astonishing turnout broke the record for the largest crowd ever to attend a women’s sporting event.
The match concluded with a decisive victory for Nebraska, who won with scores of 25-14, 25-14, and 25-13. Prior to the match, sophomore middle blocker Bekka Allick expressed her astonishment at the immense turnout, stating, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… It’s hard to grasp 94,000 people.” The photographs from the event capture the electric atmosphere, with Harper Murray of the Nebraska Cornhuskers serving against the Omaha Mavericks in front of an awe-inspiring sea of cheering fans.
This record-breaking crowd surpassed the previous attendance record set during a UEFA Women’s Champions League soccer semifinal in 2022. In addition, it shattered the record for the highest attendance in an NCAA regular season volleyball match, which was set just last year. Nebraska had previously held this record and reclaimed it by utilizing their expansive Memorial Stadium, the highest-capacity structure on campus and in the state.
The announcement of this monumental match happened in February, as part of “Volleyball Day in Nebraska,” with tickets going on sale in April. The response was overwhelming, with over 82,000 tickets sold in just three days. This impressive figure accounts for more than 4% of Nebraska’s entire population.
Nebraska’s volleyball program boasts an impressive legacy, much like the renowned Cornhusker football team, having secured five national championships, with the most recent one in 2017. The American Volleyball Coaches Association ranked them 4th in the country leading up to the match against their in-state rival, Omaha.
The excitement surrounding the event was palpable. Nebraska’s athletic director, Trev Alberts, expressed his admiration for the fans, stating, “Nebraska fans never cease to amaze me… To sell out Memorial Stadium is truly remarkable.” Head Coach John Cook also remarked on the overwhelming support, stating, “To see that place packed, there’s no way to prepare for it.”
This isn’t the first time the Cornhusker volleyball program has broken attendance records. In 2021, they competed against Wisconsin for a national championship before a crowd of 18,755, setting yet another record. Additionally, Nebraska holds the NCAA women’s sellout streak record with 306 consecutive regular-season matches.
While Memorial Stadium’s official capacity for football is 83,406, more seats were made available at field level for the volleyball match. The largest crowd ever to witness a women’s sporting event in the United States was during the 1999 Women’s World Cup Final with a staggering attendance of 90,185 at the Rose Bowl.
Coach Cook drew parallels between this landmark event and the historic soccer match at the Rose Bowl, stating, “That was a big moment for women’s sports, and it really shot soccer up. And this is another great chance for that to happen for the sport of volleyball.”
In the midst of the excitement, Coach Cook emphasized the importance of embracing every moment. “I’m just trying to own each moment… Because it’s all new to me too, I haven’t been through this,” he said. Players like Bekka Allick echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the significance of the occasion and vowing to give their best performance.
The match received widespread attention and was even broadcast on the Big 10 Network. This landmark event showcases the growing popularity and support for women’s sports, leaving an indelible mark on the world of volleyball.
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