It was August 29.

One day before the historic "Volleyball Day in Nebraska."

Kennedi Orr passed around a letter and rose to each player and staff member on our team.

Each one was touching.

John (Cook) read some of his aloud.

And one line in particular stuck with us.

"Tomorrow, we make the impossible possible."

Every player was ready, and aware of the magnitude.

We were breaking this record for all those who had come before us and setting a stage for all those who would follow.

This groundbreaking and historic day wasn't just significant for volleyball but for the entire landscape of female athletes and women’s sports.

And we were going to make it happen.

Through these gates.

8 . 30 . 23 pic.twitter.com/Ku4O31xxno

— Nebraska Volleyball (@HuskerVB) February 24, 2023

The Making of the Impossible

I distinctly remember how it all began.

We had been discussing it casually for a while, but initially, it was just playful banter. Our fans were jokingly challenging us to break the record for the highest attendance at a women's sporting event, suggesting that Memorial Stadium was the only place it could happen.

And we thought, why not?

However, it wasn't until a lunch meeting with Marquita (Armstead) and Lindsay (Krause) in February that it truly sank in.

They were diving into the logistics of what it would take, and that's when it became real.

We were actually going to make it happen.

What had started as a dream was now becoming our reality.

If I recall correctly, it was also around February when things really started to heat up on social media.

Our fans were clamoring for the record-breaking event.

We knew we had to seize this opportunity. And deep down, we had confidence that our fans would show up in full force.

Initially, our goal was simply to break the NCAA record for the highest attendance at a women's volleyball match. However, once we released the tickets and they sold out instantly, we realized that there was more at stake.

I can't pinpoint the exact moment when I shared the news of us hosting a volleyball match in Memorial Stadium with the team, but I do recall seeing their reactions in a video. They were brimming with anticipation and excitement, fully aware that they were about to be part of something genuinely historic.

As the event drew closer, the atmosphere became increasingly charged with electricity. The players found themselves inundated with media requests and interviews.

Yet, as a coaching staff, we were determined to keep them grounded and focused on the present. We reminded them of the matches we had to play before the big day and encouraged them to stay in the moment.

And luckily, our players are as professional as it gets.

But once we had gotten through our matches before the big day, our focus shifted. We treated it as a celebration — the culmination of all the hard work and dedication that had brought us to this point.

And as the players soaked in the excitement, they were more than ready.

We all were.

Game Day

The actual day was a whirlwind of anticipation and emotion.

We made an effort to stick to our routines and treat it like any other game day.

In the morning, we practiced inside the stadium.

And as game time approached and we watched the fans slowly but surely fill the stands, we couldn't help but realize that something truly special was happening.

I mean, it’s still hard to fully grasp.

92,003 people.

I still pinch myself.

For me, it was probably most moving to take part in the Husker football traditions like the tunnel walk and the flyover.

Nebraska is all about tradition.

And it doesn’t get much more “tradition” than that.

They brought tears to our eyes.

As I looked to my left and right, I saw that everyone in our program was crying.

We were overwhelmed with emotion, fully aware that we were participating in something much larger than ourselves.

We were making history, not just for our program or our sport, but for all of women's athletics.

So grateful to be a part of something so big for our state - our sport - and women’s athletics
I will forever be in awe of this day and the history that was made https://t.co/jYjfdih9uc

— Kelly Hunter (@KellyHunter03) September 3, 2023

A Memory for Life

Looking back now, it all feels almost surreal.

We were part of something that had seemed impossible at first.

And when I say “we”, I don’t just mean us coaches and players.

I mean the entire Husker community.

The staff, the fans, the media — everyone.

We dared to dream big, worked tirelessly, and ultimately made it happen.

The largest crowd ever to attend a women's sports event. #NCAAWVB pic.twitter.com/qHsc4vNm0o

— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) August 31, 2023

I hope these girls remember that from this experience.

As a former player myself, I can’t help but think of all the players who came before us. They were the ones laying the foundation for this program and setting the stage for this unforgettable event.

They are the ones that turned Husker volleyball into, well, Husker volleyball.

And none of it would have been possible without the support of our fans.

Together, we showcased to the world what women's sports can achieve.

To all the staff members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, thank you. Thank you for being an integral part of the team that made this event possible.

And to all the fans who showed up and filled the stadium, thank you. Your unwavering support and boundless enthusiasm made this day truly unforgettable.

Volleyball day in Nebraska shattered records and exceeded expectations.

We transformed the impossible into reality, and in doing so, we ushered in a new era in women's sports.

This event was so much more than just a game.

And I can't express how grateful and honored I am to have been a part of this truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Thank you, Husker Nation, for making the impossible possible.