SDSU-Nebraska matchup breaks records, inspires growth

BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota State University Jackrabbits volleyball team held its biggest home game in program history Wednesday night against number one Nebraska. This game not only broke records, but served as a reminder of how far the game has come in South Dakota.

A record-breaking crowd of 5,113 people turned to a roar at the First Bank and Trust Arena in Brookings anytime the Jacks scored against number one Nebraska on Wednesday night.

This turnout marked the largest for a volleyball game in the state's history.

"I mean to play in front of 5,000 people in our home gym with the community of Brookings was just insane. I think this was so special for the state of South Dakota, for the volleyball in South Dakota. That was an unreal experience," SDSU senior outside hitter Sylvie Zgonc said.

SDSU Head Coach Dan Georgalas says this game served as a reminder of just how far the program has come.

"We had 255 fans in the spring of 2021. Our first season was canceled and now here we are playing the number one team in the country… I'm just so grateful. This place is so much bigger than any one person and our players know that," Georgalas said.

Nebraska is no strangers to record breaking volleyball crowds, but even their Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly was impressed with Jackrabbit Nation.

"The crowd was awesome and they were into it and it was hostile . I thought there would be more red, so I think that was actually cool to see it be, you know, South Dakota State fans and them having a lot of pride," Busboom Kelly said.

This match also marked a homecoming for Nebraska Setter and O'Gorman High School graduate Bergen Reilly who had a large contingent of fans in the stands, including her older sister, Raegen, who played volleyball at SDSU.

"I knew quite a few people here. Had a lot of family here. She {Raegen} got to be here too so that was cool. Got out of some law school homework," Reilly said.

Reilly also took time post game to reflect on the state of volleyball in South Dakota where she believes progress is being made but there is work to do.

"It's awesome just how volleyball is growing around the country, but in South Dakota I think we've been just a little bit behind, so it's cool to see us starting to catch up and yeah this is a big testament to that," Reilly said.

The O'Gorman graduate added that it was an awesome experience to play in front of the largest volleyball crowd ever in her home state.

The Cornhuskers did in fact sweep the Jackrabbits in this matchup, however there is a silver lining as SDSU put up the most points in a set on Nebraska so far this year with 20 points in set two.