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Growing the Game: Southeast Iowa’s contribution to women’s volleyball BURLINGTON, IA (WGEM) - Four high school volleyball teams in southeast Iowa made history, trading the hardwood of their school gymnasiums for the open-air of a football stadium. At Bracewell Stadium in Burlington, two high school volleyball matches were played outdoors, capturing the imagination of a region and marking a historic milestone for high school women’s sports in southeastern Iowa. The ambitious idea was born three years ago, inspired by the University of Nebraska’s record-setting outdoor volleyball match at Memorial Stadium. “Three years ago, Nebraska played, and we took my coaching staff and we all went to the game,” Holy Trinity Catholic’s head coach Melissa Freesmeier recalled. “We’re just sitting there and all looking around, and I said, ‘We’re gonna make this happen.’” Bringing the vision to life required overcoming plenty of skepticism from critics who doubted high school teams could successfully draw a crowd to a football stadium. “When we first brought the idea up, a lot of people said it’s not gonna work,” Fort Madison head coach Kelly Knudson said. “They said, ‘You’re gonna have all these things happen, you’re not gonna fill Bracewell.’ And I think we’re pretty close. For four women coaches to be a part of this is huge. It feels very empowering, and hopefully that’s wearing off on the girls—that we can do anything, and women’s sports can be a big deal.” For the players, the chance to compete under the football stadium lights was an unforgettable milestone. “So many people were here,” Fort Madison libero Kylie Lumino said. “Mid-game, I was like, ‘Let’s just take a step back and look.’ Look at the crowd. Look at all the people here. It was so awesome just to see it.” Playing on such a grand stage also gave the athletes a chance to serve as role models for the next generation of volleyball players watching from the stands. “It brings back a lot of memories, being in the stands wishing I was out there,” HTC’s Adalyn Kruse said. “Now, being out there and being that person for them is really heart-touching for me.” While outdoor matches have been held at the collegiate level and by other high schools nationwide, this event was a first of its kind for southeastern Iowa. Players and coaches alike see it as a symbol of the rapid growth and rising popularity of women’s volleyball. “I think women’s volleyball is definitely growing,” HTC’s Olivia Bendlage said. “[Volleyball] being played in bigger arenas like this in high school is something that’s really popular and really big. I think this is amazing for women’s sports.” With the inaugural outdoor matches deemed a resounding success, the event’s organizers hinted they are already looking for ways to make the outdoor stadium matches a recurring regional tradition. Copyright 2026 WGEM. All rights reserved.