Volleyball has been the No. 1 sport in girls participation in the United States for almost a decade. More than 90,000 fans showed up for an outdoor match in Nebraska's football stadium last summer, and the NCAA semifinal and championship matches set attendance and television viewership records.
The next sign of the sport's evolution in the U.S. was on display Wednesday night when the Atlanta Vibe played the Omaha Supernovas in the debut of the Pro Volleyball Federation.
Tori Dixon, the 31-year-old middle blocker for the Supernovas, has played in Azerbaijan, Japan, Italy and China over seven pro seasons.
She said there's international buzz about the PVF, and former teammates have asked her to help them get a contract. "Maybe it's a little less money, but you get to stay home and be comfortable," Dixon said. "Overseas is a grind.