Historic College Volleyball Doubleheader Wipes Out Wrigley Field

The 2026 Allstate Big Ten and Southeastern Conference (SEC) Volleyball Series came to Wrigley Field Sept 6. The doubleheader featured Penn State University versus University of Kentucky at 6 p.m. followed by University of Nebraska versus University of Missouri at 8 p.m. 

This match capped off the SEC/Big 10 challenge week, with the game at Wrigley Field being the only one held at an off-campus site. This is the first time volleyball has ever been held at the historic field. 

The night started off with a matchup between Kentucky and Penn State, with the Wildcats taking the first two sets, the Nittany Lions snagging the third while Kentucky ultimately closed it out in four sets. The Wildcats fourth-year outside Brooklyn DeLeye stormed ahead with 21 kills and 19 digs and the Nittany Lion’s fourth-year rightside Kennedy Martin led the charge with 16 kills. 

Kentucky won in front of the largest crowd they’ve ever played for with a total of 43,067 people in attendance. Head coach Craig Skinner said the match was at the top of all events he has ever attended, according to University of Kentucky Athletics.

“I don’t know if there’s anything that has surpassed it for the sport and volleyball in general,” Skinner said. “What a cool moment for everybody.”

The following match between Nebraska and Missouri was set to start at 8:40 p.m. as players came out for warm ups, the stage was set. The score was 2-1 in the first set when the entire game came to a halt and everyone was all hands on deck to try and clear the condensation from the floor. 

Wrigley Field, an outdoor venue, was always going to be subject to the Chicago weather. With the temperature hitting 72 degrees with 71% humidity, it was evident condensation was going to be a problem for the rest of the night. 

All the players, coaches and staff were doing their best to dry off the court using everything from small towels to big towels and leaf blowers. After 20 minutes of drying, and a dance battle between the two teams, the match was ready to restart. 

Nebraska was up 11-7 before the match was halted again. The fans were told there would be a 15 minute break to try and dry off the court. The break turned into a 40 minute period of waiting before it was announced that, due to the weather, the match would be postponed to a later date. 

Both teams came out to give thanks to the fans, despite the night not turning out how it was expected to.

“We wanted to give you guys our all and we didn’t do that tonight,” said fourth-year setter for the Huskers Bergen Reilly.

After the speeches, Nebraska’s fourth-year middle blocker Andi Jackson started singing “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson with her team. She then ran over to the Missouri side and waved the Nebraska team over so both teams were singing together before the teams left the field and the fans exited the venue.