Omaha Breaks NCAA Ticket Sales Mark

Omaha ? Volleyball fans across the state of Nebraska have broken their second NCAA volleyball attendance record in as many weeks, as over 13,200 tickets have now been sold in advance of this weekend’s NCAA Regional at Qwest Center Omaha.

"The fact that these records have been broken is an amazing testament to just how loyal fans of Division I women's volleyball are," said Roger Dixon, Qwest Center Omaha President/CEO. "We are incredibly enthused about this weekend and ready to show the nation what our fans, our athletes, our City and our State is all about."

As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, 13,252 all-session tickets have been sold for the upcoming regional, breaking the previous NCAA postseason record of 13,193 set by the University of Wisconsin for the 1998 National Championship Match. In addition, the 26,504 tickets sold for all-sessions has shattered the previous NCAA all-session record of 23,978 set by Wisconsin during the 1998 national semifinals and finals.

"The record shows that Omaha is a great sports town and this just confirms that there really is no place like Nebraska for volleyball," Nebraska Head Coach John Cook said. "A lot of the credit for our fan support goes to the high school coaches across the state that have given the sport its grassroots support over the years, and also the passion that fans across the Husker Nation have for Nebraska Athletics."

All-session tickets for the regional are $36 (reserved) and $30 (general admission) and can be purchased at the Qwest Center Omaha  Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at (402) 422-1212 or at Ticketmaster locations around the state (Bakers, Younkers and the Nebraska Student Union in Lincoln). In addition, tickets can also be ordered at Ticketmaster.com.

Single-session tickets for Friday’s matches, priced at $18.50 and 15.50, will go on sale Friday morning at 9 a.m. at the Qwest Center Omaha Box Office. At 10 a.m., fans may log on to Ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone at 402-422-1212 or go to any Ticketmaster outlet for tickets (Younkers and Bakers). Single-session tickets for Saturday’s regional final will go on sale Saturday morning.

The regional starts Friday, Dec. 9, when No. 7 Louisville takes on No. 4 Florida at 5 p.m., while the No. 1 Huskers will take on No. 14 UCLA beginning at 7 p.m. (or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first match). Saturday’s regional final will take place at 5 p.m. with the winner earning a berth to the national semifinals in San Antonio, Texas.

Fans in the state of Nebraska will be looking to set their second NCAA attendance record in as many weeks. The national tournament in Kearney broke the previous NCAA Division II single-match record three times, including a crowd of 5,025 for the national title match last Saturday.

NCAA Postseason Volleyball Attendance Marks (single-match)
Attend. Matchup Date
13,252 NCAA Omaha Regional (Regional Semifinals) 12/9/05
13,252 NCAA Omaha Regional (Regional Final) 12/10/05
13,194 Long Beach State/Penn State (NCAA Final) 12/19/98
12,327 Penn State/NU & Long Beach St./Florida (NCAA Semifinals) 12/17/08
11,114 Long Beach State/Penn State (NCAA Final) 12/18/93

NCAA Postseason Volleyball Attendance Marks (all-session total)
Attend. Matchup Year
26,504 Nebraska (NCAA Regional) 2005
23,978 Wisconsin (NCAA Semifinals and Finals) 1998
21,384 Wisconsin (NCAA Semifinals and Finals) 1993

-- Huskers --