The recent Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas successfully drew attention to the growth of college volleyball, featuring a competitive lineup that included the Texas Longhorns, TCU, Nebraska, and UNLV. Held at the T-Mobile Arena, the event attracted an impressive combined attendance of 18,625 fans, signaling a vibrant start to the season.
After the match against Nebraska, Texas head coach Jerritt Elliott remarked on the significance of such events, stating, "What an incredible event to be a part of it, and you know the sport continues to grow, and we’re seeing that from attendance and viewership, and having all these great matches in the preseason." This sentiment reflects the increasing popularity of NCAA women's volleyball, which has seen a 13% rise in viewership year over year, culminating in the 2025 championship being the second-most watched in history with 1.4 million viewers.
As the sport evolves, professional volleyball leagues are emerging across the United States. Teams like Love One Volleyball in Austin, featuring former Longhorns such as Ajia O'Neil and Logan Eggleston, are contributing to this growth. Additionally, former Texas libero Emma Halter plays for the Indy Ignite in Major League Volleyball. Elliott emphasized the need for increased advertising revenue to further elevate the sport's profile.
In addition to discussing the growth of volleyball, Elliott proposed a new format for the NCAA Tournament that could enhance competition and viewership. He suggested maintaining the current single-elimination format for the first two rounds, but transitioning to a best-of-three format for the regional finals. This change would allow for a more competitive environment, accommodating the increasing skill level within the sport. Elliott drew inspiration from the NCAA softball tournament, which has successfully implemented similar changes.
While Elliott's ideas sparked interest among volleyball coaches and fans alike, Nebraska's head coach Dani Busboom Kelly acknowledged the growing demand for volleyball and expressed her gratitude for the showcase event. "We want to continue to build our sport," she said, highlighting the importance of events like the Players Era Showcase in promoting volleyball.
Both the Longhorns and the Cornhuskers have been actively participating in showcase games across the country, with Texas kicking off its season in Milwaukee and Nebraska debuting in Arlington at AT&T Stadium. Busboom Kelly shared her excitement about these high-profile events, stating, "I was like pinching myself, like we’re playing in these huge events in the beginning of the season... hopefully for many more eyes on the sport of volleyball."
Looking ahead, the possibility of more matchups between Texas and Nebraska is on the table. The two teams had not faced each other since the 2023 national championship match, and both coaches recognize the potential for collaboration to promote the sport. Elliott noted, "Dani and I will work together to keep growing the game and growing the names of each one of our programs and making it exciting."
Although the Longhorns are currently in a three-year contract with Players Era, Elliott hinted at the potential for future encounters with Nebraska, suggesting unique formats such as home-and-away series. "There’s all kinds of opportunities with the two names of what we’ve had, NIL opportunities and things that we’ve been doing," he added, indicating that discussions are ongoing.
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