The national championship doesn't occur until December, but in women's college volleyball, the excitement is palpable in many venues throughout the regular season. NCAA Digital reporter Michella Chester and Big Ten Network's Emily Ehman sat down together in an Instagram Live to give their take on some of the best volleyball arenas.
Here's a look at which home teams have the most lively atmospheres, according to the experts:
Devaney Center, Nebraska
With an original capacity of 13,595 the Devaney Center has hosted several NCAA championship events since opening its doors in 1976. After the 2012-2013 collegiate season, the Devaney Center conducted a nearly $20 million renovation, reducing capacity to 7,907 with a standing room capacity of nearly 8,500. The arena made history as recently as last season when Nebraska broke the center's attendance record in front of a crowd of 9,198 in a five-set showdown with then-undefeated Wisconsin.
"Players that haven't played on that kind of stage walk in and you're automatically thrown off because of how intense it is," Ehman told Chester on Instagram Live.
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Field House, Wisconsin
No other venue encapsulates the women's volleyball experience quite like the Field House. Considered one of the few facilities entirely dedicated to the sport, the facility has a capacity of 7,540 — and each of those seats hosts one of the most passionate fanbases.
"There's so many of them and they're really rowdy, but in a really fun way," Ehman said. "I love calling games there."
Since 1930 the Field House has been one of the oldest athletic facilities in college sports, putting fans close to the action and creating many memorable victories.
Gregory Gym, Texas
Known for its rowdy crowds, The Greg is home to the 2022 and 2023 national champions (28-1 in 2022 and 28-4 in 2023). Part of that could be because of the high-energy environments opponents face upon arrival until the final whistle.
In the 2022 season, Texas achieved a perfect record in the venue and followed it up with only losing two home matches in 2023. In fact, over the past five seasons, the team's win percentage in the Gregory Gym stands at an impressive 91% — further proving how hard it is for teams to leave Austin with a victory.
Holloway Gym, Purdue
Visiting coaches cannot let the humble 2,288-seat capacity inspire a false sense of confidence in their teams. Purdue volleyball fans pack the small arena and hardly let any silence hang in the air for more than a second — making the venue one of the best in the home-court advantage category.
"Every time I do a game there I leave and actually have hearing problems," Ehman shared about Holloway. "It is absolutely insane."
Rec Hall, Penn State
Penn State is home to yet another notable arena known for its loud volume and rowdiness. Rec Hall holds just over 6,500 people and often hosts a sold-out crowd during the women's volleyball season.
Ehman herself attended last year's whiteout game between Penn State and then top-ranked Nebraska at Rec Hall. She described the match as another cause of resulting hearing loss. While the Lions lost that Nov. 3 matchup to Nebraska 3-2, it was only one of two home games the team dropped in the 2023 season.
