How (and why) Nebraska drew 92,003 to watch women’s college volleyball

How did a volleyball team representing a public research university in a prairie state attract 92,003 fans to set the global attendance record for women's sports? It's a long story

Memorial Stadium went dark, the hum and strum of Sirius by the Alan Parsons Project started and the capacity crowd turned to the stadium's north end. Every University of Nebraska football home game starts this way. Fans clap as the stadium's huge videoboard shows the team's approach from the locker room and their entrance on to the field. The Tunnel Walk is one of college football's signature traditions. And Nebraska junior Lexi Rodriguez wanted to soak in the moment.

Rodriguez, a libero on the Nebraska women's volleyball team, walked alongside head coach John Cook and teammate Merritt Beason. They were enveloped by the crowd's roar. Beason continued her steely gaze. A smirk emerged on Cook's face. Rodriguez grinned from ear to ear. She and the Cornhuskers knew they'd make history on Wednesday night. She just wanted to take a moment to enjoy it. The gates finally opened and she led the Huskers on to the court.