All Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
This month, fans have seen the All-Star competition's good, bad, and ugly. The NBA was the ugly, the NHL’s Four Nations was the bad, and the Professional Volleyball Federation was the good. The league kicked off its first match at the Fishers Event Center near Indianapolis. About 7,000 fans were there this past weekend.
There was plenty of excitement the moment fans walked through the front entrances of the arena. Life-size cardboard cutouts of players in the concourse greeted many. Others could pose for photos with family and friends. Two guys dressed as if they had certain connections with an infamous organization handed out game-day towels at the entrances.
The teams were not divided into east v west, but by different means. Team Shondell, led by Purdue’s Dave Shondell, faced Team Collier, coached by Georgia Tech’s Michelle Collier. The All-Stars wore black and gold uniforms and waved to the cheering crowd as the announcer called their names. Coaches, league staff, and 10,000 online votes chose the two 12-team squads.
Player introductions, Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
Fans in the stands wore gear from the Grand Rapids Rise, San Diego Mojo, Orlando Valkyries, Vegas Thrill, and Omaha Supernovas. Many made the trip to the Indianapolis area. The loudest fans were from the Atlanta Vibe. They cheered for their four teammates on the team. The hometown Indy Ignite was there too, showing their support.
Team mascots from the Indy Ignite, Orlando Valkeires, and Vegas Thrill were on hand to greet fans, participate in pre-game contests, and then put on a few moves of their own. The game featured a DJ, dance team, and live musicians playing during the breaks.
If you have never attended a professional volleyball game, it is quite an experience. A quick look at the seating bowl showed some empty seats. Media crews gathered near the court. Young fans cheered with enthusiasm. Many reached for souvenir mini volleyballs tossed into the stands.
CBS made a little bit of history by broadcasting the first women’s pro volleyball match on a traditional U.S. over-the-air network. The game featured NBA star Jalen Rose and Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson East hosting the league's festivities.
Team Shondell celebrates a point in the first game, by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
At the end of the afternoon, Team Shondell defeated Team Collier by a total score of 58-47. Team Shondell won the first sets 25-22 and 25-20 and only needed to reach 8 points in the third set to clinch the victory. That came when Team Shondell took an 8-5 lead but completed the third set with a 15-10 triumph.
After the game, Vegas Thrill setter Alisha Childress felt excited. She looked forward to future all-star events in the league.
“We want to continue this not just this year, but for years and years to come. We feel that energy; we can feel that that’s what we’re doing here. We’re older and we’re playing, and to see the younger generation get to look up to us, it’s our responsibility but it’s one we take very seriously to make sure they see volleyball at a high level all the way.”
Members of the Atlanta Vibe cheer on their teammates from the stands, by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
The league returns to action later this week in its eight cities until early May, followed by a post-season tournament.
Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com
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