SMU volleyball joins Nebraska, Penn State and Florida in Spikes Under the Lights, a prime-time AT&T Stadium showcase with NIL money at stake.
SMU volleyball is getting a massive local spotlight and a major NIL opportunity this summer.
The Mustangs will participate in Spikes Under the Lights on Aug. 27 at AT&T Stadium, joining Nebraska, Penn State and Florida in a one-night women’s college volleyball showcase built for national attention.
For SMU, this isn’t just another nonconference event. It’s a statement about where the program now sits nationally.
The event will feature two semifinal matches and a championship match in a best-of-three format. A $1 million prize pool is attached, with each program guaranteed at least $200,000 for participating and the winner earning an additional $200,000.
That’s a big deal in the NIL era, especially for women’s college athletics. It’s also historic for AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, as the event is being promoted as the first women’s-only sporting event held at the venue.
SMU’s inclusion makes sense. Under head coach Sam Erger, the Mustangs have gone 100-31 over four seasons and reached the NCAA Tournament three straight years.
SMU has also won four NCAA Tournament matches during that stretch and reached the regional semifinals last season after beating Central Arkansas and Florida.
The Mustangs have turned Moody Coliseum into a real advantage, going 40-8 at home since 2023. Their move into the ACC has only raised the profile, with SMU going 16-4 in league play in 2024 and 17-3 this past season.
Last year’s resume included wins over No. 4 Louisville, No. 18 Miami and No. 8 Texas A&M. SMU also won 11 straight matches before falling to No. 3 Purdue in the NCAA Tournament.
Now the Mustangs get Nebraska, Penn State and Florida on a stage built for attention. For recruiting, branding and local fan growth, this could be a program-changing night.
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