CHICAGO — The historic women's college volleyball match at Wrigley Field between Missouri and Nebraska was delayed twice in the first set due to excessive moisture on the court.
The first delay came after just three points were played. After workers spent several minutes using mops on the court laid down on a platform atop the Chicago Cubs' field, players from both teams got on their hands and knees with towels to try to dry the playing surface.
Several Nebraska players took a break for a brief dance party when the P.A. started playing Justin Bieber's "Baby" before resuming their efforts to get the court playable. At least two people with leaf blowers eventually came out to help with the efforts.
The match resumed after about 20 minutes only to
be paused again less than 10 minutes later.
Both the Nebraska and Missouri volleyball teams plus the court crews are wiping down the wet floor at Wrigley Field. @hurrdatsports @hailvarsity pic.twitter.com/g8chkCO2rL
— Ana Bellinghausen (@AnaBellMedia) September 7, 2026
This time, Nebraska coach Dani Busboom Kelly and Missouri coach Dawn Sullivan huddled with officials, presumably discussing whether the match could be played safely. The Nebraska and Mizzou players made the best of the situation, holding a dance off while the coaches and officials talked.
Both teams eventually left the court while another attempt was made to sop up the condensation.
The Tigers and Cornhuskers, along with Penn State and Kentucky, played at Wrigley on Sunday, Sept. 6, as part of the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge. It's the first time the iconic baseball stadium has hosted the sport.
Penn State and Kentucky played the first match, and players from both teams said the court got increasingly slick as the night wore on.
"Just from the heat, the condensation," Kentucky outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye said. "Just a cool thing that we were able to play in it, but there were definitely factors that were challenging."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nebraska volleyball match at Wrigley Field delayed because of slick court
