Nashville, Tennessee is gearing up to host an engaging women’s volleyball tournament at the Bridgestone Arena, home to the NHL’s Predators. Scheduled for August 31, the tournament will feature intense matches among teams from the Big Ten and Southeastern conferences. Participants include Nebraska, Purdue, Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt, with Nebraska boasting five national championships. Fans will have the opportunity to watch all three matches with a single ticket.
This newly introduced event, termed the Broadway Block Party, was announced by the Nashville Sports Council and ESPN Events. It marks the inaugural women’s collegiate volleyball tournament at this prominent arena, which promises an electrifying atmosphere fueled by the growing popularity of collegiate volleyball and women’s sports.
Scott Ramsey, the president and CEO of the Nashville Sports Council, expressed excitement about the event, acknowledging the collaboration between the SEC, Big Ten, and ESPN in launching this noteworthy addition to Nashville’s sports calendar.
The tournament will kick off with Nebraska facing off against Kentucky, led by Nebraska’s newly appointed coach Dani Busboom Kelly. Kentucky enters the tournament with the title of the reigning SEC champions and has enhanced their roster by acquiring Eva Hudson, the reigning Big Ten kill leader, via the transfer portal. This match will be broadcasted on ABC.
Following this, Purdue will clash with Tennessee in a match that highlights two teams with a history of successful NCAA tournament runs. Purdue advanced to the regional semifinals in 2024, and Tennessee made it to the regional quarters in 2023, ending a drought since 2005. Their showdown will be available on ESPN2.
The event concludes with Illinois taking on Vanderbilt. Illinois, making its 28th NCAA tournament appearance, will face Vanderbilt, which is participating for its inaugural season. This final match will be aired on the SEC Network.
Clint Overby, ESPN Events’ vice president, highlighted the tournament as a testament to the remarkable growth of the sport and its increasing popularity on the national stage.
