On August 30th, the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s volleyball team made history with the highest attendance record for a women’s sporting event. The Husker volleyball team has had a winning record for years with a total of five national championship wins. 

This year, the volleyball program announced that there would be an outdoor volleyball game at Memorial Stadium and within three days, the tickets were sold out. 

Before the Huskers took on Omaha, there was a rally for the team at the old volleyball gym, The Coliseum. The rally gave the fans as well as the players a chance to express their excitement for the game that was just hours away. Fans were also given a chance to write notes to the players.

To start volleyball day off strong, Wayne State and University of Nebraska Kearney played before the Huskers played on the court later that evening. Wayne State beat University of Nebraska Kearney with an outstanding three sets to zero. 

After months of waiting, the highly anticipated Husker volleyball game began and 518,000 TV’s streamed it, breaking the record for highest viewed non-conference volleyball event. 

Fans crowded in the stadium and part of the field to watch the Huskers play the Omaha Mavericks. Once everyone in the stadium was counted, Husker Nation revealed that they were making history with 92,003 people in the stands, breaking the previous world record for highest attendance at a women’s sporting game which was 91,648. 

There was so much excitement in the stadium as the Huskers swept the Mavericks three sets to zero. Freshman Andi Jackson led the Huskers with seven kills the whole night with freshman Harper Murray trailing close behind with six kills. The Huskers defense is one of the best in the country with two-time all American libero, Lexi Roriguez helping the Huskers finish on top. In the end, the Huskers were able to pull out seven blocks which led to an outstanding win for Nebraska. 

After the game, there was a stunning drone show above the stadium projecting the record breaking number along with the big Nebraska N. There were many fireworks and even flames blasting from the court.

To cap off the night, Scotty McCreery performed a concert in the stadium to his biggest audience yet.

August 30th was a huge step forward for volleyball and all women’s sports as it spreads the love of volleyball to many more people throughout the world. At De Soto High School, recognition for this sport could also be spread by having an event such as the one that the Huskers set up. By using the Wildside, DHS could grow its student section and fan base using Nebraska’s example.

Back to Nebraska, even after excited fans sharing notes, a full day of volleyball, world records being broken, the whole stadium breaking out into the wave, and a spectacular show, Husker Nation hasn’t even seen the half of it.