ORD, Neb. - The Husker volleyball team brought its championship pedigree to small-town Nebraska Saturday, showcasing the connection between the program and its statewide fan base.

For the first time ever Nebraska played a spring match in Ord, and team officials say over 1,700 fans packed the city's high school gym to watch the action. 

Players described the atmosphere as reminiscent of a home game in Lincoln.

“It makes it feel like Bob,” said Junior Harper Murray. “We forget sometimes how many fans we have outside of Lincoln or Omaha.”

Local businesses decorated storefronts, schools coordinated logistics and a downtown trolley helped with overflow parking.

“The whole town has worked together,” said local resident Kay Knapp. “Hats off to Ord Public Schools for putting this on, it’s a great honor to have Husker Volleyball in Ord."

The Huskers themselves embraced the moment.

The team posted a spring match sweep over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in front of a sold-out crowd by scores of 25-18, 25-19, 25-17 and 25-19.

Head coach Dani Busboom Kelly praised the town’s hospitality. “Everything was first class, and they made sure we knew they love us. It was really fun,” said Kelly.

On the court, the team used the exhibition to experiment and develop. Busboom the day was about connecting with fans far from the usual spotlight.

“Coming to a place like Ord reminds us that this program means something to people across the whole state,” said Murray.

The bond between fans and the team appears as strong as ever following the most recent exhibition.