GREEN BAY, Wis. — It’s not every day that the four collegiate athletic programs from the same state come together for something like the Frozen Phoenix Invite; however, on Saturday, that’s exactly what happened.
And even better, it happened right here in Green Bay.
“We [Green Bay and Wisconsin] were having conversations about exhibition matches this fall and then spring, and I just assumed that we would go down there,” Green Bay women’s volleyball coach Abby Sutherland said. “They were open to coming to Green Bay… and we made it happen.”
And despite Madison being known as the volleyball capital in the state, it’s hard to ignore the talent on display right here in northeast Wisconsin.
“It is a great volleyball area as well,” Wisconsin women’s volleyball coach Kelly Sheffield said, “We saw the first match [between Lawrence and UW-Oshkosh] and how competitive that was and how many fans showed up for them.”
Beyond the level of play, the atmosphere itself stood out.
3,605 fans packed into the Kress Center on Saturday, breaking the previous attendance record for a volleyball match, set on Sept. 19, 2024, when 1,401 watched Green Bay play Minnesota.
“Playing and having the opportunity to be in a place like this, I told my team before, it’s sort of like going to a concert, there might be a song or two you don’t like, but you just go and enjoy it,” Lawrence women’s volleyball coach Jeff Van Lannen said.
And, given the positive reviews, it begs the question — why not make this an every-year thing?
“We hope this happens every year, because I think you have so many local people who are engaged in the Lawrence and Oshkosh community. Obviously, the GB fans are here. And then when you bring Wisconsin, one of the best teams in the nation, it’s all positive, and it’s a win for everybody,” Van Lannen added.
