KEARNEY – The Huskers are heading west for their 2024 spring volleyball match.
Last year’s national runner-up, Nebraska will face Denver at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in Kearney.
With demand for tickets expected to be strong, the match has been moved from Kearney High School to the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Health and Sports Center, allowing an additional 2,000 fans to attend the event. The Health and Sports Center seats about 5,000 people.
Kearney Public Schools will remain the primary host for Big Red Nation, working in partnership with Husker Athletics, UNK and the Kearney Visitors Bureau.
“Kearney High School is looking forward to hosting the Huskers at UNK for the annual spring match,” said Ryan Hogue, KHS assistant principal and Kearney Public Schools activities director. “This move from KHS to UNK solidifies the relationship we have with the university and the ability to collaborate for the mutual benefit of the day-to-day sharing of our facilities.
“This event is about Kearney welcoming the Huskers and giving all those involved the best experience possible, including our area Husker fans. Kearney High hosted this event in 2017, so it made sense to move it to UNK.”
Tickets for the spring match are $12 for upper-bowl bleacher seating and $25 for lower-bowl chairback seats. All seats are general admission. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds ticket office. Tickets must be purchased in person, with cash only, by someone at least 16 years old. A maximum of four tickets are available per person. Lost tickets will not be replaced.
Tickets will not be available through the Nebraska, KHS or UNK athletic offices.
Doors to the Health and Sports Center will open at 12:30 p.m. May 4, and the Huskers will sign autographs following the match.
“We’re excited to host a high-profile event like Husker volleyball at UNK and look forward to working with Kearney High School in relocating this event. It will increase visibility and exposure for UNK,” said Todd Gottula, UNK’s senior director of communications. “We have a tremendous atmosphere in our arena for volleyball, and we’re committed to creating a game environment that’s memorable for players and fans alike.”
The Huskers played their spring match at KHS in 2017, defeating Colorado State 3-0 in front of a crowd of 2,040. NU went on to win the national championship later that year.
The trip back to Kearney continues Nebraska’s tradition of touring the state for spring volleyball matches. Since 2007, Nebraska has played other spring matches in North Platte, Scottsbluff, Grand Island, Norfolk, Wayne, Ogallala, Central City and McCook.
“We’re thrilled to host an event of such magnitude. This is a fantastic opportunity for Kearney High School, the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the visitors bureau to showcase Kearney and show the kind of collaboration and teamwork that happens here so often,” said Roger Jasnoch, executive director of the Kearney Visitors Bureau.
For the third consecutive year, the Huskers’ spring match will be televised statewide on Nebraska Public Media and streamed online on B1G+. In addition to television and streaming coverage, the match will air on select Huskers Radio Network affiliates and the official Huskers App.
