For the first time, volleyball took over the Friendly Confines as the Big Ten and SEC concluded their inaugural Volleyball Challenge Week. Fans from across the country traveled to Chicago to witness a historic doubleheader featuring Penn State and Kentucky, followed by Nebraska and Missouri.
The iconic ballpark looked different as volleyball made its Wrigley Field debut. Four schools with storied volleyball traditions participated, led by top-ranked Nebraska.
"It's important because we live in Chicago. They go to school in Nebraska. So of course, what do we have to do? Go Big Red," Nebraska fan Laura Fontana said.
Missouri supporters embraced the challenge of competing with Nebraska's large fan presence.
"It's kind of David vs. Goliath. We are outnumbered by a sea of red behind us, but hey, everybody's been kind and it's a great atmosphere," a Missouri fan said.
Fans traveled from near and far for the marquee finale of the first-ever Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week.
"We're super duper excited. I'm super excited because I got to be part of volleyball day in Nebraska three years ago, so I'm super pumped for this too," Nebraska fan Meredith Fontana said.
That Volleyball Day in Nebraska drew more than 92,000 fans to Memorial Stadium in 2023, perhaps partly inspiring the doubleheader at Wrigley Field. The growing popularity of women's college volleyball has helped make it one of the fastest-growing attractions in college sports.
"I think it's definitely historic. I mean Wrigley is historic itself. But volleyball here is amazing, for sure," Nebraska fan Luke Pekol said.
"This is super cool that's in Chicago, and I hope you guys come back. It's awesome," Kentucky fan James said.
For players, the event provided an opportunity to compete on a national stage, with both matches broadcast on FOX. For fans, it was a chance to watch their favorite teams in a venue where they never expected to see a volleyball court.
"Playing outside. Something different. You know they play a lot of volleyball, but they never play outside," Missouri fan Gabe Stearns said.
"I've been to Chicago numerous times, but this is just a really neat epic field here," Kentucky fan Amy Brannon said.
The Big Ten and SEC said every school in both conferences participated in the week-long challenge, but the finale belonged to Chicago.
A first for Wrigley Field, the event also served as another sign of the sport's continued growth.
"The history matters more. Women's volleyball, and everybody watching. That's the biggest aspect of the game," a Missouri fan said.