MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Marquette women’s volleyball broke an indoor volleyball attendance record Wednesday night when its match against #1-ranked Wisconsin drew 17,037 fans.
A Near Sell-Out Crowd at Fiserv Forum
The match was held at the Fiserv Forum, home to the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. The reported capacity at Fiserv Forum for basketball games is 17,385 – so the Marquette match accommodated a near sell-out crowd. The atmosphere was electric, with fans from both schools filling the arena to the rafters. For many, it was their first time attending a women’s volleyball game, and the high level of play did not disappoint.
Marquette’s Historic Match Against #1-Ranked Wisconsin
Typically Marquette’s volleyball matches are held on campus at the Al McGuire Center. The last match Marquette played at the McGuire Center had 1,107 fans listed on its box score, a match that Marquette lost to #18-ranked Tennessee in three straight sets. But this time, the stakes were higher, the venue grander, and the fans more numerous.
Marquette was able to grab a set from top-ranked Wisconsin before eventually dropping the match 3-1. Despite the loss, the team held their heads high. With the loss, Marquette dropped to 2-6 on the season, but it’s worth noting that six of their eight opponents have been nationally ranked in the top 25.
How Did It Play Out?
The Golden Eagles pushed the Badgers to the limit in a volleyball match rife with tension and skillful play. The first set was a roller-coaster of emotions, featuring 16 ties and seven lead changes. Marquette’s defensive trio—Sarah Kushner, Ella Foti, and Yadhira Anchante—excelled, vexing the Badger offense and forcing long rallies. Despite this, the Badgers clawed back from a 22-17 deficit to win the set 28-26, led by middle blocker CC Crawford’s timely kills.
The second set saw Wisconsin grappling with self-inflicted errors, with a staggering 18 service errors that evening. Marquette capitalized and won 25-20, buoyed by aces from Jenna Reitsma and strong play from Aubrey Hamilton. Although Wisconsin started the third set well, Marquette put them on the defensive, setting up a dramatic set point at 24-21. But Badgers’ MJ Hammill led a stunning service run to win the set.
The fourth set was a different story. With Anna Smrek leading the charge, the Badgers steamrolled to close the match. The standout performances weren’t limited to Wisconsin, as Marquette’s valiant defensive effort captured the attention of fans and competitors alike. Ultimately, the Badgers acknowledged the Golden Eagles’ hard-fought defensive stand, exemplified by players like Julia Orzoł, who clocked a career-high 23 digs for Wisconsin. The match served as a promising prelude to a challenging conference season for both teams.
Rising Trend: Attendance Records in Women’s College Sports
The previous indoor volleyball attendance record was set last season by Wisconsin when the Badgers hosted SEC’s Florida Gators in front of 16,833 fans. Typically, the “indoor” designation would not be necessary in volleyball; however, Nebraska volleyball shattered the attendance record when its outdoor match at Nebraska’s football stadium, Memorial Stadium, drew 92,003 fans.
This increased support for women’s volleyball is not an isolated incident. It affirms a trend in college sports that has seen more visibility and attention for women’s sports across the board. Women’s basketball, for instance, set an attendance record for the second straight year when the Women’s NCAA Tournament drew over 231,000 fans for the first two rounds of its championship tournament.
The Implications of a Record-Breaking Night
So, what does a record-breaking attendance figure like this mean for Marquette, for women’s volleyball, and for collegiate sports as a whole? For one, it’s a clear indicator that fans are willing to turn up and tune in to women’s sports when given the opportunity. The fervor and excitement that were palpable in the Fiserv Forum are proof positive that the narrative around women’s sports is changing.
“It’s really good to see the number of people coming out to watch the sport and just supporting. This is huge in the state for us,” said West Bend East girls volleyball head coach Amy Barnes. “I think it really empowers the young girls to get out and play the sport and then they get to see all the really great athletes that women can be.”
Furthermore, it’s a strong statement about the value and marketability of women’s sports. When an event like this can nearly match the attendance of an NBA game, it sends a signal to networks and advertisers about the untapped potential that exists within women’s collegiate sports.
Lastly, it offers a lesson for other universities and athletic programs that are underestimating the drawing power of women’s sports. Ignoring this rising trend could mean missing out on significant opportunities for revenue and publicity.
In the end, the Marquette women’s volleyball team didn’t just break an attendance record; they shattered a glass ceiling. And as they walked off the court to the roars of a near-capacity crowd, it was clear: this is just the beginning.