For WVU Volleyball, the challenge during the fall is not just winning matches.
The Mountaineers are also trying to carve out their own place in a crowded sports landscape in Morgantown; where football, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer all compete for the attention of Mountaineer fans.
Head coach Jen Greeny believes the program is making progress. You can watch the entire exclusive interview by visiting the WV Sports Nation Youtube page or by simply clicking here. Read more: WVU Volleyball Head Coach Jen Greeny exclusive: building culture, attendance growth.
West Virginia recorded its best volleyball attendance since entering the Big 12 last season, and Greeny hopes the Mountaineers can build on that momentum heading into the 2026 season.
“We’re trying to build a kind of grassroots and trying to get out into the community and do different things,” Greeny said.
That effort has included summer camps that brought excitement from young athletes in the area, while Greeny has also made an effort to attend other WVU sporting events and interact with fans throughout Morgantown.
For Greeny, part of growing the program starts with introducing people to volleyball who may not have experienced a match before.
“Maybe they’ve never been to a volleyball match,” Greeny said. “And I know as soon as they come, they’ll be hooked.”
Giving fans a reason to watch
Greeny believes WVU has plenty to offer fans who make the trip to the Coliseum.
The Mountaineers compete in a Big 12 Conference that Greeny described as one of the most difficult leagues in the country. She pointed to the depth of the conference, noting that 10 Big 12 teams reached the NCAA Tournament last season.
Greeny also believes volleyball’s fast pace and emphasis on teamwork make it an appealing spectator sport.
“You know, it’s dynamic. There’s action on every point,” Greeny said. “You have to, it is the ultimate team sport, volleyball is. You can’t hide anybody.”
The goal now is getting more Mountaineer fans to experience that atmosphere for themselves.
West Virginia is also using its promotional schedule to make matches more accessible and entertaining for fans. Promotions this season include Sunday Scoops, while the program will also offer Volleyball 101 to help new fans better understand the sport.
Greeny sees those efforts as another way to remove some of the barriers for people who may not normally attend volleyball matches.
Building a following
The Mountaineers will have opportunities to introduce themselves to fans early in the season.
West Virginia will host two tournaments this year, with its first home match scheduled for August 28 against UTRGV. The Mountaineers will then face a difficult start to Big 12 play against defending conference champion Arizona State and TCU.
For Greeny, however, building the program is about more than what happens between the lines.
She wants her players to become familiar faces around Morgantown and, in turn, wants the community to become familiar with the program.
As the Mountaineers prepare for another season, Greeny’s message to fans is simple; give volleyball a chance.
“Come to a volleyball match, especially if you haven’t been to one,” Greeny said. “I guarantee that you will enjoy yourself.
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