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Fans Pack Kress Center for Volleyball Scrimmage
Record crowd watches Wisconsin take on Green Bay in spring exhibition match
Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:54am
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A vibrant, cubist-inspired illustration captures the energy and excitement of a packed volleyball match between Wisconsin and Green Bay.Green Bay TodayA record-setting crowd of 3,605 fans packed the Kress Center on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus to watch a spring scrimmage between the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Phoenix women's volleyball teams. The Badgers, coming off a Final Four appearance in the NCAA Tournament, swept the Phoenix in three sets, with new transfers Jaela Auguste and Eva Travis combining for 18 kills. The event, called the Frozen Phoenix Invite, also featured matches between Lawrence and UW-Oshkosh.
Why it matters
The large turnout for a spring exhibition match highlights the passionate fan base for women's volleyball in Wisconsin, as well as the growing popularity of the sport. The event provided an opportunity for some of the state's top collegiate programs to compete against each other and connect with their local communities.
The details
The previous Kress Center attendance record for a volleyball match was 1,401, set in 2024 when Green Bay played Minnesota. While the match between Wisconsin and Green Bay was just a spring scrimmage, the teams played two extra sets for additional practice. Prior to the Wisconsin-Green Bay match, Lawrence and UW-Oshkosh also played a four-set match, with the Titans winning three sets.
- The event took place on April 19, 2026.
- The previous Kress Center attendance record was set on September 19, 2024.
The players
Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers women's volleyball team, coming off a Final Four appearance in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Green Bay Phoenix
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women's volleyball team, hosting the Frozen Phoenix Invite event.
Jaela Auguste
A transfer from the University of Florida who joined the Wisconsin Badgers for the 2026 season.
Eva Travis
A transfer from UC Santa Barbara who also joined the Wisconsin Badgers for the 2026 season.
What they’re saying
“Wisconsin coming here was such a big deal and we're grateful for that. It was such a good experience that our players will never forget.”
— Abbey Sutherland, Green Bay head coach
“To see the fan base, our fan base, travel and their fan base show up for a spring match is pretty cool.”
— Kelly Sheffield, Wisconsin head coach
The takeaway
The large crowd and enthusiasm for the volleyball scrimmage between Wisconsin and Green Bay demonstrates the growing popularity of the sport in Wisconsin, as well as the strong fan bases of the state's top collegiate programs. The event provided an opportunity for the teams to connect with their communities and showcase the talent of women's volleyball in the state.
