GREEN BAY, Wis. \u2014 It\u2019s not every day that the four collegiate athletic programs from the same state come together for something like the Frozen Phoenix Invite; however, on Saturday, that\u2019s exactly what happened.<\/p>\n
And even better, it happened right here in Green Bay.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe [Green Bay and Wisconsin] were having conversations about exhibition matches this fall and then spring, and I just assumed that we would go down there,\u201d Green Bay women\u2019s volleyball coach Abby Sutherland said. \u201cThey were open to coming to Green Bay\u2026 and we made it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
And despite Madison being known as the volleyball capital in the state, it\u2019s hard to ignore the talent on display right here in northeast Wisconsin.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a great volleyball area as well,\u201d Wisconsin women\u2019s volleyball coach Kelly Sheffield said, \u201cWe saw the first match [between Lawrence and UW-Oshkosh] and how competitive that was and how many fans showed up for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond the level of play, the atmosphere itself stood out.<\/p>\n
3,605 fans packed into the Kress Center on Saturday, breaking the previous attendance record for a volleyball match, set on Sept. 19, 2024, when 1,401 watched Green Bay play Minnesota.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying and having the opportunity to be in a place like this, I told my team before, it\u2019s sort of like going to a concert, there might be a song or two you don\u2019t like, but you just go and enjoy it,\u201d Lawrence women\u2019s volleyball coach Jeff Van Lannen said.<\/p>\n
And, given the positive reviews, it begs the question \u2014 why not make this an every-year thing?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope this happens every year, because I think you have so many local people who are engaged in the Lawrence and Oshkosh community. Obviously, the GB fans are here. And then when you bring Wisconsin, one of the best teams in the nation, it\u2019s all positive, and it\u2019s a win for everybody,\u201d Van Lannen added.<\/p>\n
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