In 2011 my then 11 year-old son and I flew from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Omaha, Nebraska, to enjoy my cousin’s wedding. All my son remembers was the DJ and the live music during the reception (he still loves to dance). But I’ll always remember being one of the shortest women in the room, even in 4-inch heels.

At 5’8″, I’m not usually considered “short.” Add in a pair of 4-inch heels and I’m usually eye-to-eye with, if not towering over, most people in the room. However, this was no ordinary room.

This room featured a wedding party of college volleyball players. And not just any college. My cousin, along with many of her bridesmaids and guests, were members of the University of Nebraska women’s volleyball team. And when you take college volleyball players who are already over 6 feet tall, then put each of them in three-to-four-inch heels, you’ve got yourself a memorable night of neck-craning conversations.

Fast forward 12 years, and Nebraska’s volleyball team is still making headlines. This year the university hosted a women’s volleyball game in the Husker’s football stadium, garnering 92,003 spectators in what is believed to be the world record for attendance at any women’s sporting event. If you haven’t seen the photos, I encourage you to google them; they’re amazing.

All of this background provides context for my glass of Cabernet and order of flatbread during an extended layover in Charlotte, North Carolina, last week. I missed my connection, having been delayed after the GT Tested awards in Pasadena, California, but I knew a glass of red and a TV playing the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Semifinals would brighten my mood.

I should probably admit I didn’t even realize the tournament was being held right up the street in Tampa, Florida. But as I made the most of my missed connection and watched Nebraska win in three straight sets over the University of Pittsburgh, I considered attending the championship game at Amalie Arena. By Sunday morning I bought a ticket and made the drive from Sarasota to see my first college volleyball game since being a college student myself.

Big Red made the trip as well, filling the arena with thousands of Nebraska fans, largely out-numbering the Texas fans who also came to support their team in the final match. An entertaining game from a fan’s perspective, Texas swept Nebraska 3–0, claiming back-to-back national titles for the Longhorns and winning their fifth NCAA volleyball championship of all time.

Spontaneity is a characteristic often found among the well-traveled. We’re used to adjusting our plans thanks to missing flights, canceled appointments and weather delays. Had I not sat on the tarmac at LAX for 3.5 hours, I might not have spontaneously purchased a ticket and been one of 19,727 people to see the game on Sunday (and officially, now the second-most attended women’s volleyball game in NCAA history).

Slowly I’m getting more and more used to rolling with the punches, turning my proverbial travel lemons into lemonade when necessary. Despite the loss, I’m guessing none of those Nebraska fans regret making the trip to Tampa. Neither do I.

Besides, with a young squad and no shortage of talent, I’m sure Nebraska will get another chance to play the role of  the “volleyball bride” (instead of the bridesmaid) soon enough.

— Carrie Cox, account executive