With the support of a historic crowd, the Grinnell College women’s volleyball team kept its energy high against the Cornell College Rams in one of the last games of the season. With a crowd of 942 faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members cheering them on during the Nov. 5 Party at Darby match, the Pioneers fought through the loss of the first three sets against Cornell.
At the beginning of the first set Grinnell kept the score tight, but Cornell was able to break away and take the lead. Grinnell called a time out at 12 to 21 in favor of Cornell and was able to battle back, holding Cornell at match point for four points before the Rams took the set 17 to 25.
In the second set Grinnell took the first point and kept the game close as the stands of dedicated fans behind Cornell roared their support for Pioneers. The thunderous cheers of Grinnellians kept energies high even as Cornell pulled ahead.
The quick and versatile plays of the Cornell team kept Grinnell diving across the gym to dig the ball. Soon Cornell reached match point, 14 to 24, but the Pioneers held them there for five points. The Rams won 19 to 25.
In the final set Cornell took an early lead, blocking many of the Pioneers’ spikes. Nonetheless, the crowd grew louder, celebrating every point Grinnell landed. Ultimately, Cornell took the set 17 to 25.
Gabriel Garcia `27, Strahinja Nikolic `27 and Owen Theus `26 all cheered Grinnell on from the dedicated stands. The three members of the crowd have attended many of the women’s games throughout the season.
“It’s fun sitting next to the other benches just to give the team a mental edge,” Garcia said. “Regardless of the win or loss it’s always good seeing people come out and show support for any sports team, especially because this is a big game for the women’s volleyball team, it’s good to be out.”
“We’re not used to having more than like 800 people in the stands,” Nikolic said. “I think that definitely helped the team too.”
According to Jeff Meeker, head coach for Cornell women’s volleyball, his team was excited to come play Grinnell for its large audience.
“We were excited to play in front of a big crowd, and the challenge of coming to Grinnell, who’s been our Conference rival really for quite a few years,” Meeker said. “I just knew that it would be a hard fought match tonight.”
Millie Leonard `27, who plays middle and is a pin hitter for the team, said that they could have done better but that it was exciting to have so many people out for the game.
“I feel like the days leading up, everyone was so enthusiastic and pumped to come and support and watch,” Leonard said. “It’s a national trend for women’s sports to do this, and I think it’s really cool that we can get this much support for an event like this.”
Eric Ragan, head coach for the Grinnell women’s volleyball team, said this game was one of the coolest things he’s been a part of at Grinnell.
“It was awesome to have so many Grinnellians in one space, rallying around an athletic team. Not just us, but it was about the community and so that was really special,” Ragan said. “We’re hopeful that that transcends this game and continues on as we move forward.”
This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Jeff Meeker’s name, Cornell College volleyball head coach. Updated on 12/4/2025.
