It's a sellout: Record-setting crowd expected for Nebraska-Creighton volleyball match

A record crowd is expected at the CHI Health Center Tuesday night for an in-state volleyball match between No. 18 Creighton and No. 1 Nebraska. On Monday evening, Creighton Athletics announced the match was sold out.

Wisconsin and Marquette hold the record for most fans at a regular season indoor match, according to the NCAA. Their September 2023 match ranks 16th all-time with 17,037 people in attendance. The other 15 games include Volleyball Day in Nebraska, the outdoor record, and postseason games.

Creighton Athletics spokesperson Rob Anderson said the Wisconsin-Marquette record will likely fall Tuesday night. The CHI Health Center has a capacity of about 17,350, Anderson said in a news release.

Bluejays head coach Brian Rosen said it’s business as usual this week.

“If we put way too much pressure on one opponent versus another, I don't think that's where we play our best,” Rosen said. “I want them to play loose, play with joy, give 17,000-18,000 people a show and play our style of volleyball.”

His players should soak in the opportunity to play in front of tens of thousands of people, Rosen said.

Nora Wurtz graduated from Douglas County West High School in Valley, west of Omaha. The Bluejay middle blocker plans on taking her coach’s advice.

“It is always such a great game,” Wurtz said. “I think I'm really going to have to be super present and take in everything.”

The Bluejays boast a top-15 win against Kansas in late August. They have dropped matches to Penn State, Texas, Louisville and USC. All of those teams are ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25.

Nebraska owns top 25 wins against Pittsburgh, Stanford, Kentucky and Utah.

Husker senior defensive specialist Maisie Boesiger graduated from Norris High School in southeast Nebraska. Creighton-Nebraska is a state celebration, Boesiger said.

“Growing up in Nebraska and being able to watch the Huskers and Creighton play, it's a very special game for all of Nebraska,” Boesiger said, “because this is the volleyball state.”

Creighton plays confidently, Husker head coach Dani Busboom Kelly said.

“It's going to be a tough game for us,” Busboom Kelly said, adding she expects the arena to have “a Final Four feel.”

Former Creighton head coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth created a powerhouse, Busboom Kelly said. In her final season, Bernthal Booth led Creighton to a school-record 32 wins and an elite eight appearance last year.

But on Tuesday, a different record is on the line. The Cornhuskers are 23-0 all-time against the Bluejays.

After falling behind 2-0 last year, Creighton took NU to five sets. Fans on both sides may remember the marathon third set in Lincoln, when Creighton outlasted Nebraska, 33-31. Eventually the Huskers took set five, 15-10, to remain unbeaten against their in-state foe.

Both schools have new coaches this year. Nebraska has started 8-0 under Busboom Kelly and Creighton is 5-4 with Rosen leading the program.

Creighton students can still claim seats in the student section by going to the box office 90 minutes before first serve, Anderson said. Construction in downtown Omaha will lead to heavy traffic, so Anderson advises fans to arrive early.

The match starts at 6:30 p.m. CT and will air on Fox Sports One.