Volleyball program sets new attendance mark during exhibition with Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — The largest crowd to ever attend a volleyball match at the Jack Stephens Center saw a spirited exhibition Saturday afternoon as Little Rock hosted the Arkansas Razorbacks for the first time ever, in front of 2,725 fans – easily eclipsing the previous mark of 965, set back in 2021.

“It was such a great environment. We have a lot of big clubs in town and high schools … This town has a big volleyball presence. We were honored to have the Razorbacks come to Little Rock for this competition and they have a few players from local clubs here so it really was a win-win for both programs,” Little Rock head coach Van Compton said. “Our players and coaches are grateful for all the work that went into making this event happen and putting on a fantastic event that will now go into the record books.”

While what happened on the floor may not have counted in any official NCAA records, the Trojans and Razorbacks put on an exciting contest that lasted four sets, with two of those seeing extra points. The two schools met during spring play earlier this year, with Little Rock winning 3-1 in an exhibition match played in Fort Smith. This time the Razorbacks took a 3-1 decision.

Prior to today, no volleyball crowd at The Jack had ever topped 1,000. With a large number of local volleyball clubs and high school teams in attendance – not to mention large fan bases for both competing programs – the previous attendance record was almost tripled.

"What an incredible day for Little Rock Volleyball and Trojan Nation! To open the season in front of a record crowd is a true testament to the energy and pride surrounding our program. I want to sincerely thank every fan who packed the Jack Stephens Center and made it such a memorable atmosphere. As we begin our journey toward an OVC Championship season, there’s a real sense of excitement about what this team can accomplish," said Frank M. Cuervo, Little Rock Director of Athletics. "We’re especially proud to celebrate head coach Van Compton as she begins her remarkable 38th season at the helm. Her dedication, leadership, and love for this program have built a legacy that continues to inspire. Of course, I couldn’t be prouder of our student-athletes — tremendous competitors who represent Little Rock and our University with integrity, passion, and class. It’s going to be a special season."

Little Rock officially begins its season next weekend with three contests at the Lion Invitational in Commerce, Texas. The Trojans open with two games Friday against North Texas (10 am) and host East Texas A&M (7 pm), then finish Saturday with an 11 am contest against Providence.

TOP 10 HOME VOLLEYBALL ATTENDANCE FIGURES – ALL-TIME