Terps volleyball sets an all-time attendance record, fans react to the environment

Photo courtesy of Ashley Ray/Maryland Terrapins

Maryland volleyball hosted No. 2 Nebraska Huskers Saturday, recording the all-time record in attendance for the Terps volleyball team, capping off the regular season in a 3-1 loss, ending with a 14-17 record.

For the first time since 2019, the Terps hosted a game inside the Xfinity Center main gym, drawing 13,071 spectators. Normally the team plays inside of Xfinity Center Pavillion, just inside of the same building, holding significantly less than the stadium itself.

Long lines awaited fans trying to get in to watch this highly anticipated game, waiting outside in the brisk weather from nearly all entries of the stadium. The fans didn’t seem to mind the wait when it came to the occasion.

Brian Walker, a senior at the University of Maryland, was willing to wait in the weather to get the chance to watch the game.

“This is a very big game for the team and fans, so to see the support they’re getting from everyone freezing their rear ends off means a lot,” Walker said. “This doesn’t happen often, so it’s best to just power through and suck it up.”

Once inside, fans packed the stands waiting for the first serve. Mackenzie Laundry, a junior at the University of Maryland, has been to a few games this season, noting how this one in particular has clearly stood out.

“This place is packed,” Laundry said. “I’ve only been to a few games this year, but this one obviously feels different. It must feel crazy for the players for sure. Stuff like this is what makes it exciting to be a student here, experiencing the craze of college sports.”

Although the Terps fell through, spirits were still high around the fans, hopeful for what is in store for next season.

Jessica Yeng, another senior at the University of Maryland, believes that this will bring more fans and students out to future games for the team.

“With this support shown, it shows that the fans are there and are able to come and support,” Yeng said. “I don’t see how fans don’t come back for more games to support next year, it makes the games more fun. I’m sure they can’t always get games in the stadium but see if they can schedule more inside of the stadium to bring more life to the games.”

The Terps played in front of a substantial crowd in back-to-back home games, setting the 2024 home game season attendance high against Penn State with 1,938 crowding the Xfinity Center Pavillion.