The 2024 college volleyball season is set to begin with a bang as the AVCA First Serve Showcase will bring together four elite teams in Louisville. Kentucky, Louisville, Wisconsin, and Nebraska will face off at the KFC Yum! Center on August 27, marking the official start of the season. This venue will also host the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship in December.

First Serve Showcase: A Star-Studded Event

The event will feature a thrilling doubleheader, starting with Nebraska from the Big Ten taking on Kentucky from the SEC at 7 p.m. Eastern. The excitement will continue as Wisconsin from the Big Ten clashes with Louisville from the ACC. Both matches will be broadcast on ESPN2, ensuring fans nationwide can tune in to the action.

“Louisville is the place to be for women’s college volleyball this year!” Louisville coach Dani Busboom Kelly said. “We are looking forward to the new season, and this marquee event will be a great way to start it off.”

Building on a Record-Setting Season

The anticipation for the 2024 season is high, especially after a record-breaking 2023 season. Nebraska set a new attendance record with a crowd of 92,003 at Memorial Stadium, while the NCAA title match drew an average audience of 1.7 million viewers. AVCA CEO Dr. Jaime Gordon emphasized the importance of maintaining this momentum.

“The AVCA is very excited to bring together four teams of this caliber to get the new season started,” Gordon said. “AVCA First Serve offers another way to showcase the sport and continue the momentum from the record-setting 2023 season.”

Teams to Watch

All four participating teams finished the 2023 season ranked in the top 10 of the final AVCA poll. Wisconsin has been a consistent powerhouse, reaching the final week in four of the past five years and winning the 2021 NCAA title. Nebraska finished as the national runners-up in 2021 and 2023. Louisville reached the national semifinals in 2021 and 2022, while Kentucky won the 2020 national championship.

Excitement Building in Louisville

The showcase is generating significant buzz, with tickets becoming available to the public on June 14 after a three-day presale. The teams will likely seek a waiver to move up their first practice date, which might overlap with the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.

Conclusion: A Season to Remember

The AVCA First Serve Showcase promises to be an exhilarating start to the 2024 college volleyball season. With elite teams, national television coverage, and a record-breaking season to build upon, fans can expect a year filled with excitement and high-level competition.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova