UNK Volleyball eager for 'one of a kind' match at Memorial Stadium
LINCOLN — The state’s big celebration of volleyball will include the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers.
UNK will play Wayne State at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln as part of Volleyball Day in Nebraska. The Division ll foes will clash at 4:30 as a precursor to the Huskers vs. Nebraska-Omaha matchup.
Lopers Coach Rick Squiers joined the Doug & Daddy Show on ESPN Tri-Cities on Friday and called it a once in a lifetime event.
“I think it’s going to be fun. Probably the best way to describe it is so different, so unique," Squiers said. "Playing volleyball outside in a stadium, obviously you’ve got the Big Red factor. People are going to come and we’ll do everything we can to try to encourage them to get there a little bit early.”
Squiers says he found out about the opportunity via a phone call from Wayne St. Head Coach Scott Kneifl. It was an easy decision to join in.
“As soon as it looked like it was going to materialize, we said we were on board," Squiers said. "I think at that time we didn’t know all of the details, we just knew that there was going to be volleyball in Memorial Stadium and they were going to try to get a lot of people there.”
It will only be an exhibition, as official Division ll matches aren’t allowed to start until the next day. The Lopers and Wildcats, who haven’t played each other since 2015, both finished last season ranked in the top 15 in the nation.
Squiers says it will be a unique challenge to prepare for weather conditions.
“Even it it’s just a little windy, it’s going to play with the serve a little bit so serve receiving will be tricky," Squiers said. "You know, I’d like a little breeze when I’m playing against two first-team All-American middles. I hope they have a little bit of trouble getting them the ball maybe.”
Tickets go on sale to the public on April 26.
At Friday's news conference, Nebraska officials said they plan to share revenue with the participating teams.