'Bigger and better every year': Nebraska volleyball fans turn Wrigleyville into Sea of Red

Sedlacek and her sister, Mindy Helfrich, quickly gobbled a bunch up as soon as they were released to the public. They knew how quickly they would sell.

Months later, the two sisters, along with their mom, Paulette Stefka, and their sons, were strolling through Wrigleyville outside Chicago among a Sea of Red.

They were decked out in Nebraska volleyball gear. They chanted “Go Big Red” while passing by Husker fans and dubbed the weekend the “Nani, Aunties and College Boys Trip.”

For the family, there was no better place to spend it watching Nebraska make more college volleyball history at one of American sports’ most iconic venues.

“There was no way we would miss this opportunity,” Sedlacek told The World-Herald on Sunday. “When Nebraska is breaking glass ceilings like they are, it’s just something you have to come experience for yourself.”

Sedlacek, Helfrich and Stefka — North Platte, Kearney and Omaha natives — drove into Chicago Friday night. They spent the weekend walking around the city, running into Nebraska fans.

By noon on Sunday, Wrigleyville, directly adjacent to Wrigley Field, was already full of Huskers beginning pregame festivities, setting the stage for another memorable event.

“(Volleyball) is just growing,” Beaver Lake native Brian Smith said. “Everything gets bigger and better every year. New locations, more people, more fan bases. The sport is getting stronger and I don't see it going anywhere.”

Nebraska (4-0) and Missouri will be the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader, which also features a matchup between Kentucky and Penn State.

For the Tigers, Wildcats and Nittany Lions, an outdoor match will be a first-time experience. The Huskers, however, have done this rodeo before, and so have many of their fans.

Smith and his wife Rachel were at Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium match in 2023 against Omaha, when 92,003 fans packed the stadium, setting a world record for the largest attended women’s athletics event.

“It showed how great our fanbase is,” Smith said. “John Cook gave a speech and talked about nowhere but Nebraska. My throat got tight because it was really a proud moment. I looked over and my wife was openly sobbing. It was a moment.”

While Sunday’s Wrigley matches won’t have nearly as many fans — expected upward of 40,000 — the historic feel will still be there.

“It says something about how good we are and how loyal the fans are,” Mikala Putnam said. “We don’t see as many fans of other teams and it shows. We are really loyal and travel very well.”

Putnam and her traveling crew of Bryce Motle, Harper Putnam, Kelsi Funk and Rachelle Havolvick attended Friday’s match at DePaul, which set an Illinois state attendance record for a volleyball match, with over 8,000 fans packing Wintrust Arena.

Sporting their Nebraska gear all weekend, they have constantly been stopped by locals wondering what has brought so many Husker fans into the Windy City. They — and others — take pride in sharing the story of volleyball lore.

“It is so much fun for Nebraskans,” Helfrich said. “People from other parts of the country don't understand that this is what we have. We embrace everything sports in Nebraska and it is so cool we travel for it, too.”

This year alone, Nebraska fans have packed out Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln for the team’s Red-White scrimmage, left a Big Red impression at AT&T Stadium in Dallas for the “Spikes Under the Lights” event and spent a weekend in Sin City for the Players Era Showcase.

Another moment in the college volleyball spotlight hasn’t gotten old yet.

“This is something Nebraska can give to the rest of the country,” Rachel Smith said. “Our great girls, team and their legacy.”