With the announcement of the Spikes Under the Lights volleyball tournament, one of the first comments about the teams participating was that the rich are only getting richer. In particular, some who complained about the teams included were annoyed that the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the SMU Mustangs are involved.
"How about invite the volleyball programs that actually need the funding," was a sentiment voiced by one volleyball fan but echoed by many others. They're not completely wrong either. If the sport expects to grow and become more popular, more teams need to be in the spotlight. Here's the problem, though: "the rich" are the ones who will draw fans—especially the Huskers.
Dani Busboom Kelly has Nebraska volleyball at the center of Spikes Under the Lights
Spikes Under the Lights will feature a $1 million prize pool - the largest ever awarded in women's college sports - as four of the nation's top programs, Nebraska, Florida, Penn State, and SMU, will face off in an exhibition tournament on August 27.
It's hard to imagine a tournament worth the money invested without Harper Murray and her teammates taking part. Especially the Cornhuskers. The team that not only sells out the Bob Devaney Center, but that routinely sells out whatever road venue they play at.
Even with Dani Busboom Kelly's first squad falling short in the NCAA Tournament, they're one of the most popular and well-known programs in the sport. The star players are recognized at a glance all over the country.
Dani Busboom Kelly has Nebraska volleyball positioned as the event’s biggest draw
It's not a stretch to think Nebraska taking part is how the tournament exists at all. Nor it a stretch to think the Huskers were consulted when the three-hour exhibition event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was in the early planning stages. The other teams involved aren't a shock either.
Florida and Penn State are two of the better teams in the volleyball world and are easily recognizable. SMU is also there to ensure hometown fans have a local team to root for.
A couple of years down the road, the argument can be made that other teams, even lesser-known but still top-of-the-sport programs, should be included. But for now, and for the foreseeable future, the Spikes Under the Lights tournament needs the Nebraska volleyball team. The Huskers could certainly use that prize money too.
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