The 50th straight sellout, which dates back to the
2001 season, is believed to be the first time a collegiate volleyball program
has recorded 50 straight sellouts and is the second-longest streak for a women's
program in collegiate athletics. The streak trails only the UConn women's
basketball program, which has 111 consecutive sellouts.
"When we came here in 2000, one of our goals was to
take this program to another level and the sellout streak is one example of
that," Nebraska Coach John Cook said. "We are very proud of reaching this
milestone and appreciate all the support the Husker Nation gives us in the
Coliseum."
Much like Nebraska's NCAA football record 267-game
sellout streak, Cook said that people across the state have great pride in
helping the Husker program produce such a remarkable accomplishment.
"When it first started, and when it was around
six or seven matches, were almost saying sarcastically that we only have 242
more to equal football. We figured out one day that it could happen - it would
take about 13 years - because we have so many matches," Cook said. "As our
season ticket started selling out, it became more of a reality. Now, we have a
large waiting list and tickets are difficult to get. Our fans have embraced it,
and I hope our volleyball fans will continue to take pride in it like our
football fans do."
Over 200,000 fans have been to
the NU Coliseum during the sellout streak, helping the Huskers clinch NCAA
semifinal berths in both 2001 and 2002. The Huskers are 44-5 at home during the
streak, including 7-1 this season.
Tuesday's announcement also insures that the
4,030-seat Nebraska Coliseum will be sold out for the third straight season, as
the remaining regular-season matches against Kansas State (Nov. 6), Colorado State (Nov. 7), Kansas (Nov. 12) and Texas (Nov. 24) had been sold out in
advance. The streak will reach 54 matches at the end of the season.
The Huskers, who are 19-1 overall and ranked third in
this week's CSTV/AVCA Coaches Poll, will look to extend their 16-match winning
streak on Wednesday against Texas Tech at 7 p.m. The match can be heard
state-wide on the Pinnacle Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln, and
will be carried throughout the state on Nebraska Educational
Television.