Marquette, Wisconsin Fiserv Forum volleyball game sets attendance record
MILWAUKEE - The Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Wisconsin Badgers volleyball match Wednesday, Sept. 13 was Fiserv Forum's first and set an attendance record.
The in-state rivals were hoping to have the most fans at an indoor NCAA regular season volleyball match, breaking the record previously held by Wisconsin, and they did it with 17,037 fans. The previous record was 16,833.
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Inside the biggest arena in town, pride in the hometown teams paled in comparison to the stage.
"I'm not sure how I feel about all the red, but I really like just how many people came to support our team," said Mina Keller.
Before a sold-out crowd Wednesday night, the top-ranked Badgers met the Golden Eagles for a regular-season match. It was a game strong enough to draw a crowd on its own but meant a lot more, with the schools setting an NCAA attendance record.
"I think it's great that Wisconsin is just showing support for their teams, and that everyone else in different states sees how much we love our sports teams," said Brecken Baxter.
A lot of that support came from high school, middle school and club volleyball players like Baxter. She said she showed up to learn.
"To be better at everything," said Baxter. "Just watching these girls just play their best and giving it their all -- just how I want to when I play volleyball.
Keller also saw a lesson.
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"It means that women's sports are growing," said Keller. "We are getting better and better and better. It's becoming more and more popular, and if that keeps happening, maybe one day, I'll get to play here."
"Anything is really possible if you put your mind to it," said Ariya Williams.