Nebraska volleyball is, quite frankly, in beast mode. They’ve been steamrolling their way through the Big 10 conference like it’s a light jog in the park. After claiming yet another victory over the Washington Huskies, the Cornhuskers celebrated in front of a sold-out crowd because, well, that’s what they do. But while the fans inside the arena were having the time of their lives, those watching at home were busy eye-rolling—and not because of the game.
Nope, the culprit was something a commentator said during the post-match festivities. During a post-game interview with head coach John Cook, the presenter dared to compare Nebraska’s massive volleyball impact to—you guessed it—Caitlin Clark. “You’re having a little bit of a Caitlin Clark effect,” said the presenter with a straight face. Cue the collective groan from Nebraska fans across the state.
Fans to Commentator: “No, Just No.”
It didn’t take long for Twitter (sorry, “X,” but it’ll always be Twitter to us) to explode. Kaleb Henry, lead writer for Husker’s Max, tweeted his displeasure: “JFC @BigTenNetwork really called Nebraska’s impact on volleyball attendance records ‘a little bit of the Caitlin Clark effect.’”
Fans were quick to jump on the bandwagon. “I’m legit so annoyed by their stupid obsession with one person out of the multitudes of incredible women’s athletes in the world. You never see this in men’s sports commentary,” said one particularly annoyed fan. Oh, and they didn’t stop there. More fans chimed in, with reactions ranging from sarcastic jabs to flat-out offense.
But… Is It Really a “Caitlin Clark Effect?”
Now, let’s be clear—no one’s denying that Caitlin Clark is a straight-up baller. The WNBA star has been tearing it up for the Indiana Fever, winning not one but two ESPY awards in 2024. She’s even managed to make people care about exhibition basketball games—remember when 55,646 people showed up to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes? That’s what you call star power.
But here’s the thing: Nebraska volleyball doesn’t exactly need a “Caitlin Clark effect.” They’ve been breaking records and packing stadiums long before Clark was launching three-pointers from another zip code. In fact, one Nebraska fan with a knack for sarcasm pointed out, “Didn’t you hear? Caitlin Clark is why Nebraska had 92,003 fans in Memorial Stadium last year. Phew! Could not have done that without her.”
Nebraska’s Legacy: Built Over Decades, Not Just One Star
Let’s give credit where it’s due. Nebraska volleyball has been building a legacy since, oh, about 1975. We’re talking four decades of sweat, grit, and determination. Coach John Cook himself even mentioned that the surge in popularity started with a stadium match last year. But nah, let’s just chalk it up to the latest basketball phenom, right?
One fan didn’t mince words, saying, “These ladies have been doing it before CC was even born.” Ouch. But, hey, they’ve got a point. Nebraska’s volleyball success wasn’t born out of a momentary surge in hype. It’s the product of years of hard work, a powerhouse program, and a fan base that would storm the gates of Memorial Stadium for a match.
The Final Spike: Is There Really a Comparison Here?
At the end of the day, does women’s volleyball need the Caitlin Clark bump? Nebraska fans would say, “No, thanks, we’re good.” It’s great that Clark’s bringing attention to women’s sports as a whole, but let’s not pretend like Nebraska volleyball is piggybacking off her fame. If anything, they’re busy making history on their own terms—just ask the 92,003 fans who packed Memorial Stadium last year to watch them play.
So, what do you think? Is Nebraska riding the Caitlin Clark wave, or are they forging their own path to sports greatness? Sound off in the comments—and bring your best sarcasm while you’re at it.
