Nov 11, 2026 · 38 min
Nebraska sets the pace as volleyball’s next era takes shape
Volleyball Visionaries with Holly McPeak
The episode connects Nebraska’s college dominance and volleyball’s expanding audience with the fragile professional structures that could determine the sport’s future.
- 1Nebraska’s undefeated season makes it the national favorite, but Pittsburgh, Louisville, Florida, Penn State, and Wisconsin remain serious challengers.
- 2Major venues and stronger broadcasts are expanding women’s volleyball’s audience, building on Nebraska’s long-running investment in presentation and attendance.
- 3Professional beach volleyball has elite talent but needs investment, promotion, and a unified structure to recover its commercial footing.
Don't miss
Holly McPeak explains why Nebraska’s undefeated team is the national favorite while identifying Pittsburgh as the clearest threat.
The brief
Three-time beach volleyball Olympian Holly McPeak joins Sarah Spain to assess a sport at a crossroads: college volleyball is surging while professional beach volleyball has lost financial momentum.
McPeak argues that the AVP’s decline and the weakening domestic tour have hurt U.S. beach volleyball, calling for investment, promotion, and a unified professional structure.
Major events at AT&T Stadium and Wrigley Field, along with ESPN’s coverage, show how college volleyball is becoming a bigger spectacle; Nebraska helped establish that model.
Nebraska’s undefeated team is the favorite for the national championship, with Pittsburgh identified as its strongest potential challenger and Louisville, Florida, Penn State, and Wisconsin in the mix.
The conversation closes with Spinster Day, a celebration of women’s autonomy, alongside a recognition of Courtney Lyle and Holly Fowler’s work with Wable.
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