The Wayne State College Volleyball team has a few players who are not native to Nebraska. A couple of these players were able to explain what the change in dynamic is like to come and play for a Nebraska school.
Allie Petry, a senior from Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Ella Myler, a sophomore from Missouri Valley, Iowa, gave some insight about some of the noticeable takeaways from playing in front of a Nebraska crowd.
“I think we were all just really grateful to be there,” Petry said when asked about Volleyball Day last year. “When we were on the court, just looking out, we were all just so happy to see everybody watching us.”
That crowd went on to be the largest crowd for a women’s sporting event in history. 92,003 fans were in attendance that day, and the Wildcats were able to face the UNK Lopers in the opening match.
“Just getting here and being surrounded with great volleyball players just has overall made me a better player,” Myler said.
Nebraska has a history of pulling big crowds when it comes to a volleyball match. Many sold out attendance records have been beaten when it comes to volleyball here.
“Nebraska definitely brings a lot of fans,” Petry said. “Whether it’s here or Lincoln, anywhere, we get a lot of fans.”
This is a normal occurrence for all kinds of volleyball in this state. The crowds really come through no matter what division or level the volleyball match is. Every game here at Wayne State College, the gym is packed with people who are there to show their support.
Myler also described volleyball in Nebraska as “being more intense”, and “attention to detail is super big.”
Petry talked about how she had to adjust to being in a smaller town, but described about how she felt when playing in front of this kind of crowd.
“The support, you can feel it from the crowd, even when you’re on the floor playing,” Petry said. “When you make a good play, everyone is cheering.”
“My favorite thing would probably be the fans,” Myler said. “They just love volleyball, and it’s so fun to play in front of.”
The Wildcats will officially kick off their season with their black and gold scrimmage on Wednesday, August 28th. Their first official game will be on Thursday, September 5 against Adelphi University.