Spring Break
Fans pack Moby for tournament without Rams
Stephen Meyers
Issue date: 12/15/08 Section: Sports
The first NCAA volleyball regional at Moby Arena did not pan out exactly as CSU head coach Tom Hilbert envisioned when the team made the bid to host, but it was nonetheless positive as nearly 3,000 fans filled the seats both Friday and Saturday nights.
"I envisioned it with about 3,000 more people and us playing, but this community is just great for volleyball," Hilbert said. "I'm very proud that we got those people out; they really made it fun for these teams. I think it was a true neutral environment that the NCAA likes."
No. 2 Stanford defeated No. 7 Hawaii Saturday night for the first regional championship at Ft. Collins to move on to the Final Four to face Texas. Nebraska and Penn State round out the Final Four.
Fans rooting for all four teams in Ft. Collins (Stanford, Hawaii, Purdue and Florida) were scattered throughout Moby wearing their respective colors. It was local residents and CSU fans, however, who filled much of the arena.
"This is neat, really wonderful," said Loveland resident Duane Walter. "We were 12th in the nation in attendance, so it makes sense that they would have this here. We were a little surprised and thought more people would come out, but it's wonderful."
Duane and his wife, Lois, have been season ticket holders for eight years, and say their love for volleyball is a carryover from watching their daughters play in high school and college.
Senior Ashley Fornstrom, whose volleyball career ended with CSU's loss to Florida in the second round, said Moby always has a good crowd for volleyball.
"They wouldn't have picked Moby as a spot for a regional unless they believed we had a volleyball community," Fornstrom said. "Every match this year we had 2,000 fans regardless if students showed up. People just like volleyball in Ft. Collins. It's nice to know that I played in front of these fans. I can't give back what they gave me."
One of these fans is Ft. Collins resident Sarah Mitchell, who is a six-year season ticket holder. A sport lover, volleyball is Mitchell's favorite.
"I envisioned it with about 3,000 more people and us playing, but this community is just great for volleyball," Hilbert said. "I'm very proud that we got those people out; they really made it fun for these teams. I think it was a true neutral environment that the NCAA likes."
No. 2 Stanford defeated No. 7 Hawaii Saturday night for the first regional championship at Ft. Collins to move on to the Final Four to face Texas. Nebraska and Penn State round out the Final Four.
Fans rooting for all four teams in Ft. Collins (Stanford, Hawaii, Purdue and Florida) were scattered throughout Moby wearing their respective colors. It was local residents and CSU fans, however, who filled much of the arena.
"This is neat, really wonderful," said Loveland resident Duane Walter. "We were 12th in the nation in attendance, so it makes sense that they would have this here. We were a little surprised and thought more people would come out, but it's wonderful."
Duane and his wife, Lois, have been season ticket holders for eight years, and say their love for volleyball is a carryover from watching their daughters play in high school and college.
Senior Ashley Fornstrom, whose volleyball career ended with CSU's loss to Florida in the second round, said Moby always has a good crowd for volleyball.
"They wouldn't have picked Moby as a spot for a regional unless they believed we had a volleyball community," Fornstrom said. "Every match this year we had 2,000 fans regardless if students showed up. People just like volleyball in Ft. Collins. It's nice to know that I played in front of these fans. I can't give back what they gave me."
One of these fans is Ft. Collins resident Sarah Mitchell, who is a six-year season ticket holder. A sport lover, volleyball is Mitchell's favorite.
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