Women’s college volleyball programs have been gaining popularity with fans responding enthusiastically to televised matches. President Charlie Baker noted that women’s volleyball has become a hot property in college athletics. The sport’s popularity has been on the rise, with the number of high school girls participating reaching record highs. Women’s college volleyball matches have been attracting large crowds, with some games setting attendance and viewership records in the last year.

TV networks like NBC and ABC have started airing women’s volleyball matches, with the Big Ten increasing the number of televised games significantly. Coaches are aiming to further increase exposure for the sport by exploring strategies to grow the fan base. Despite challenges in television coverage for early rounds of the NCAA Tournament, coaches remain optimistic about the sport’s future.

The rapid growth of women’s volleyball may insulate it from potential funding challenges that other Olympic sports could face due to antitrust litigation. ESPN’s coverage of recent volleyball matches has drawn significant viewership, indicating a growing interest in the sport. Attendance records have been broken at various Division I schools, prompting some to move matches to larger venues to accommodate the increasing number of fans.

The fan base, predominantly made up of young girls, presents a significant opportunity for the sport’s continued expansion. Players engage with fans through various avenues, fostering a stronger connection with the audience. However, women’s volleyball still lags behind women’s basketball in terms of player visibility and recognition.

Coaches are keen on securing more media coverage outside of matches to promote the sport further. They are exploring different avenues, like documentaries and series, to boost exposure and generate more interest in women’s volleyball. Despite facing challenges, coaches and players remain optimistic about the future of the sport and are enthusiastic about the growth potential it holds.