Full Breakdown
Nebraska vs. Missouri: Historic Outdoor Volleyball Showdown at Wigrly Field
9/7/2026, 4:13:01 AM
Historic Matchup at the Friendly Confines
Nebraska’s women’s volleyball team will face Missouri in the second game of a double-header held inside Chicago’s iconic baseball park. The contest, part of the inaugural Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge, marks only the second collegiate volleyball match ever staged at Wrigley Field. The first-ever outdoor volleyball games at the “Friendly Confines” are scheduled for Sunday, with the Nebraska-Missouri matchup slated for the evening session.
Building the Outdoor Tradition
Nebraska has pioneered the use of professional sports venues for early-season volleyball. The Cornhuskers previously played an exhibition in AT&T Stadium (Dallas), a regular-season match in T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas) and a non-conference game at Wintrust Arena (Chicago). Those outings followed the record-setting 2023 women’s athletics event at Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium, where 92,003 fans attended a match against Omaha. The program’s “Volleyball Day” concept has turned neutral-site games into high-visibility spectacles.
Key Figures and Records
- Dawn Sullivan – Head coach of Missouri, responsible for preparing the Tigers for the outdoor environment.
- Tony Petitti – Big Ten Commissioner, overseeing the Challenge’s partnership with the ballpark.
- Crane Kenney – President of Business Operations for the Chicago Cubs, representing the venue’s interests.
Nebraska enters the contest unbeaten at 4-0 and holds a 74-3-1 all-time series advantage over Missouri, including a sweep of the Tigers in the 2023 NCAA Tournament second round.
Data & Statistics
- Nebraska’s season record: 4-0.
- All-time series vs. Missouri: Nebraska leads 74-3-1.
- Prior attendance milestones: 92,003 fans at Memorial Stadium (2023) and over 8,000 fans at Wintrust Arena, an Illinois state record for volleyball.
- Expected attendance for the Wrigley Field double-header: upward of 40,000 fans.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It showed how great our fanbase is,” — Smith
- “It says something about how good we are and how loyal the fans are,” — Mikala Putnam, Kelsi Funk and Rachelle Havolvick attended Friday’s match at DePaul
- “I prepare the same for every team. It’s just a cool environment,” — Dawn Sullivan, head coach
- “You got to use that wind to your advantage,” — Dawn Sullivan, head coach
- “I think it’s an incredible opportunity, not just for us, but for the game of volleyball,” — Dawn Sullivan, head coach
On-the-Ground Perspectives
Fans traveling from Lincoln describe the experience as a “proud moment,” noting the emotional impact of seeing their team compete in a venue traditionally reserved for baseball.
What’s Next
The double-header will be broadcast nationally on Fox, with streaming available via the Fox Sports Go app and Fubo (free trial). Viewers can tune in to watch both the Nebraska-Missouri and Penn State-Kentucky matchups as the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge concludes its inaugural week-long showcase.
