College volleyball continues to grow through attendance, opportunities for players, and growth of professional leagues. Two years ago, the Nebraska Cornhuskers set the attendance record for any women's college sporting event with 93,003 fans in attendance. This year, many teams have had the opportunity to play in bigger venues, including the No. 14 Texas Longhorns. 

This season, Texas returned to the Moody Center, which holds 10,000 fans, for the second match in program history. The Longhorns typically compete in Gregory Gymnasium, which only seats 4,000. 

After her team’s 3-1 win against the Wisconsin Badgers on September 13, sophomore hitter Cari Spears praised Texas coach Jerrit Elliot and the University for their commitment to seeking out bigger venues.

“Them giving the opportunity for us to be on a big stage and playing against a really good team is really good for our sport and for women's sports in general,” Spears said. “It’s really a great opportunity for women’s sport and we don’t take that lightly, we know we have to go out there and perform.” 

“Them giving the opportunity for us to be on a big stage and playing against a really good team is really good for our sport and for women's sports in general. It’s really a great opportunity for women’s sport and we don’t take that lightly, we know we have to go out there and perform.”

Cari Spears

Going into another major matchup against No. 5 Florida, fans were excited. The Gators were rising in the rankings winning key matches, and it was an opportunity for Texas to earn a major win at home. The stage was set at a sold-out Gregory Gymnasium. 

The Gators have had a dominant season. They are currently ranked fifth in the nation, and have earned several big wins, including one against the 2025 National Champion Texas A&M. Then, the Gators defeated Texas, a team that had yet to lose at home this season. The win not only showcases the overall strength of the SEC, but also the growth of college volleyball as a whole. With packed houses across the country, it’s no longer just a few programs dominating. In college volleyball, parity and popularity continue to balloon.  

Texas volleyball has been known by the volleyball community as a dominant program for years, with the Longhorns currently ranked No. 14 in the country. This season, the team has faced adversity, losing key players to injuries, having to try many new rotations, and forcing players to step up in key moments. 

However, the attendance has never decreased. 

Coming into the 2026 season Texas had a 55-match home sellout streak dating back to the 2022 season. The Longhorns ranked fifth nationally and led the SEC in total home attendance in 2025, drawing 67,149 fans across 15 matches. Texas averaged 4,477 fans per match, the sixth-best mark in the nation.

Texas set a Gregory Gym attendance record with 5,344 fans for the 2022 NCAA Regional Final against Ohio State before setting a new program and state record in 2025 when 10,899 fans attended the Stanford match at Moody Center. 

Against the Gators, Gregory Gymnasium erupted with fans. The fans are close to the players and quickly fill the gym with noise.

“The crowd was fantastic,” Elliott said post-game after losing against the Gators. “We needed that tonight.”