The strange Chicago summer weather claimed another casualty Sunday night.
The finale of the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week at Wrigley Field was suspended during the first set of the second match because of condensation on the outdoor court. No. 1 Nebraska had an 11-7 lead over Missouri. The match will continue at a later date — but at a different venue.
“Despite best efforts and in collaboration with all parties, rescheduling at Wrigley Field is not possible,” the Big Ten said in a statement. “A decision on match continuation at the point of suspension will be announced at a later date.”
Humidity reached 76% at the time of the match’s first serve, and the Taraflex court was unable to handle the moist air and previous match activity.
Nebraska coach Dani Busboom Kelly displayed gratitude for the event setup and the energy brought by the mostly Cornhuskers-supporting crowd. She then stated flatly: “I do not think outdoor is what we should be doing.”
“This obviously did not go as anybody wanted it to or planned, but up till the minute it was called, it was an incredibly first-class event,” Busboom Kelly said. “The Big Ten and the Cubs organization made this super special from the first moment we walked into Wrigley Field.
“The weather didn’t cooperate, but (I’m) really thankful for everybody who went out on a limb and invested a lot of money and time and manpower to do something pretty special for our sport.”
Nebraska’s Manaia Ogbechie spikes the ball during a match against Missouri in the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)
Nebraska’s red-clad fans flooded the ballpark, making up most of the 43,067 in attendance — the second-most in both Wrigley Field and college volleyball history.
“I think we’re the best fans in the whole game — traveling on plane, traveling via car, getting lodging taken care of, doing tourist things,” said 32-year-old Daniel Padilla, who traveled from Auburn, Neb. “For us to end at point 11, it’s uncomfortable.”
Before the match suspension, players and staff from both teams grabbed towels and attempted to dry the court. Nebraska and Missouri players made the best of the worst-case scenario by thanking the fans for coming.
Microphone in hand, Nebraska’s Andi Jackson led a sing-along to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone.” Players cracked jokes, indulged in a dance battle and sang along to Justin Bieber’s “Baby” and Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” as fans motivated them. The vibes remained high despite the disappointing circumstances.
DePaul hosts Nebraska at Wintrust Arena
The top-ranked Cornhuskers didn’t leave Chicago empty-handed. On Friday, 8,786 fans attended their match against DePaul at Wintrust Arena, a Blue Demons volleyball record.
It was the first volleyball match at the home arena for DePaul’s basketball teams. The Cornhuskers cruised to a 3-0 win as a sea of red overlapped Wintrust’s blue seats.
And the Cornhuskers got to see Wrigley before Sunday, which seemed to be enough.
“It was super cool to take in the city, where we are right now and just how big (Wrigley) was,” sophomore outside hitter Teraya Sigler said after the DePaul match. “It’s super exciting for our team to celebrate that.
“We treat this like this is a celebration (because) we work so hard to get here and do these things.”
The Blue Demons made sure to have their fun too. Before practice Thursday, they saw the Wintrust court and the volleyball setup for the first time. Players expressed a wave of disbelief, with some sliding across the court.
“Our entire athletic department has been preparing for this for months, and every little detail is amazing,” senior libero Nora Mannion said. “We’re just really grateful and excited to play on this court.”
Chicago was an unofficial volleyball capital during Labor Day weekend with the DePaul match, the Wrigley Field event and the AVP beach volleyball championships at Oak Street Beach.
DePaul coach Marie Zidek shared the disbelief with her players.
“The entire department (and) the entire university has been really working to make this happen,” Zidek said. “To finally have it here, I don’t know, it feels a little bit like an out-of-body experience — I have to pinch myself.”
Kentucky defeats Penn State in first Wrigley Field match
Kentucky’s Morgan Gaerte, left, spikes the ball past Penn State’s Haley Burgdorf and Gabrielle Nichols during a match in the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)
No. 13 Penn State and No. 3 Kentucky escaped the humidity and completed the opening match Sunday at Wrigley. The Wildcats prevailed 3-1.
The teams went back and forth in the first set, with the Wildcats squeaking out a 25-23 set. After an all-Kentucky second set, Penn State used clutch digs and a set-clinching kill to force a fourth, but the Wildcats took the win.
Kentucky, the 2025 NCAA runner-up, got comfortable at the Friendly Confines. The Wildcats had the chance to soak in the atmosphere after the win.
“(I) really appreciate the SEC and the Big Ten for putting this challenge on and for taking the risk to have an event like this at a baseball field,” Kentucky coach Craig Skinner said. “And (I) thank the Cubs for being willing to help grow a sport and a women’s sport that is going through the roof.”
Added senior outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye: “The entire experience exceeded any expectations. I had no idea what to expect coming here. Getting into this facility is one thing, but playing in front of the fans that were out there and being on a baseball field was just so surreal.”
Despite the loss, the Nittany Lions said their Wrigley Field experience was nothing short of magical.
“Chicago is one of the best cities in the world. There’s a reason why it’s a great sports town,” said Penn State coach and Chicago native Katie Schumacher-Cawley. “(It’s) nice to see a lot of people, a lot of Penn State alumni and a lot of great volleyball fans.”
Added junior libero and Elmhurst native Ava Falduto: “This whole thing has been so cool, and we’re really grateful for the Big Ten for putting on such an incredible show for us. So many alumni here that have our back, so it was really cool.”
Setting up Wrigley Field for a new sport
Penn State and Kentucky compete during a match in the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)
It was the first volleyball match played at Wrigley Field, yet another milestone for the sport. College volleyball has experienced increased attendance and viewership numbers, while professional leagues such as League One Volleyball Pro — which had a promotion tent at Gallagher Way — continue to gain steam.
“It’s been so much fun to watch,” Kentucky fan Elizabeth Mason, 32, said. “Playing inside of a baseball stadium, this is a really big deal for women’s sports.”
How was a volleyball court set up inside a baseball stadium?
The blue court was placed in the outfield, with folding chairs placed courtside surrounded by a standing-room-only section.
Each team ran out of a dugout to applause before first serve. The Nittany Lions and Cornhuskers debuted pinstripe jerseys, a nod to the Cubs’ home uniforms.
Both video boards displayed the live broadcast to fans in the stands, and the hand-operated scoreboard kept the scores up to date too.
The Wrigley Field event is another sign of volleyball’s growth.
“If you’re not on the bandwagon yet, you need to hurry up and get on because it’s going to leave you behind,” Skinner said. “It’s arrived and it’s going to become a priority for TV and venues.
“It’s such an amazing spectator sport, and if you ever watched a game before and you watch these athletes do what they do, you will want to come back. It’s proving that over and over again and we’re all grateful to be a part.”