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There's no doubt that women's basketball owes Caitlin Clark a huge debt. The Indiana Fever forward's talent and charisma revitalized public interest in college and professional women's basketball. What no one expected, however, was how this would affect other sports, such as women's volleyball.
The 2023-2024 season was a watershed for NCAA women's basketball. Clark's presence drew crowds to nearly every arena she appeared in, breaking attendance records at home and away.
Last season, Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes broke attendance records in 30 of the 32 games they played on the road. This season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers women's volleyball team is experiencing a similar phenomenon, which some commentators have dubbed "The Caitlin Clark Effect."
The Huskers and Clark
On November 9, Nebraskaswept the Washington Huskies in three straight sets, confirming its status as the No. 2 team. However, what stood out during the match was the crowd that did not leave a seat free at the Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle.
Regarding this, Huskers coach John Cook itted, "It's been bizarre. I mean, everywhere we go, I think this all started with a stadium match last year. There's just, the whole country knows about Nebraska volleyball."
In conversation with the match announcers, Cook remarked, "I mean, we broke a record every place we go. They're selling out." One of the announcers joked, "You're having a little bit of the Caitlin Clarke effect," prompting a laugh from the coach, who didn't say anything else.
Four attendance records
Information from the University of Nebraska states that the Huskers have broken attendance records at Moody Coliseum (SMU), Welsh Ryan Arena (Northwestern), Covelli Arena (Ohio State), and Matthey Knight Arena (Oregon).
Whether or not the Caitlin Clarke Effect exists, Cook is happy to see stadiums packed to watch his Cornhuskers. "It's great for women's volleyball. It's great for Washington to see what they can do. And with crowds in Oregon two nights ago, so it's cool," the coach stressed.