August 6, 2025—Nearly two years ago, the world record for attendance at a women's sporting event was broken in Lincoln, Nebraska. The event was not a basketball game involving Caitlin Clark or even a World Cup soccer match. The event that broke the world record by drawing just over 92,000 spectators to Memorial Stadium in late August of 2023 was a women's collegiate volleyball game between Nebraska and in-state rival Omaha. It broke the previous world record set in 2022 at a Champions League match in Barcelona by more than 350.

Women's sports are finally beginning to receive the recognition they deserve. Cobb Schools has been producing collegiate-level athletes in all sports for decades, including the newest and fastest-growing sport of flag football. Cobb has won four GHSA flag football state titles since the sport officially began in Georgia in 2020.

Similarly, Cobb's dominance in volleyball is legendary. Between Allatoona, Pope, North Cobb, and Walton, Cobb has brought home eight GHSA volleyball championships since 2018, not to mention multiple runner-up trophies. The strength of Cobb's volleyball programs is a source of pride for the players, the schools, and the fans.

Two of those aforementioned programs, which account for six (with three each) of the eight of those state titles, have decided to elevate Cobb Volleyball. Gaining inspiration from Nebraska's record-breaking feat in 2023, Pope and Walton have agreed to play their first scheduled match of the 2025 season on the football field at Greyhound Stadium. Dubbing it the "Backyard Brawl," the schools will meet on the hardwood, under the lights, hoping to reignite a crosstown rivalry between two of Georgia's elite volleyball programs.

—Get your tickets for this unique event here—

"Some of our parents were energized by the idea of a 'Friday Night Lights' type experience for our girls," explained Pope Head Community Coach Erica Miller. "Since football has most of the Fridays locked up, we went with a Saturday Night Lights. We are hopeful that the newness of the experience will draw a big crowd and that this event will be looked at more like a football game night out for kids and families."

An outdoor court will be set up in Pope's stadium and be ready for action at 7:30 pm on Saturday, August 9. Much planning has already gone into the event, and much more needs to be done. The outdoor environment will introduce several factors that are generally not an issue in high school volleyball: wind, heat, sun, and a more slippery than usual playing surface. 

"A football stadium is obviously much larger, and depth perception may be an issue," said Walton Head Coach Ashley Jones about the challenges involved. "The lights of the stadium are unfamiliar, as well as the temperature. We can be a little spoiled indoors with AC in the gym, so making sure the girls are properly hydrated will be important as well."

Coach Miller said that she would prepare her team much the same way they would for an indoor match, but she recognized that certain factors would need to be addressed in advance.

"We talk often about the gift of being in a 'high-pressure' match. Their preparedness and skill allow them to play freely because they are ready and able. This match will be great practice for managing nerves and staying calm and resilient when shaken, which are core values for us."

"This is my fifth season at Pope, and the third season we are playing Walton," continued Coach Miller. "There used to be an annual match-up of the teams years ago that stopped. I was glad we brought it back in 2023. Walton's new coach and I have decided to put more energy into the rivalry and are getting a trophy cup to pass back and forth yearly to the winner. We are hoping to start a new tradition!"

Since returning to each other's schedules in 2023, the series is tied. Pope won the match in 2023, and Walton in 2024. This year's epic battle under the Saturday Night Lights will tip the scales one way or the other. Who will claim the bragging rights and get to display the inaugural cup in their school's trophy case? You'll have to be there to find out.

"These are two of the most successful volleyball teams in the state and this is a great opportunity for the community to see high-level volleyball on such a large stage," Coach Jones said about the big event that will be her first official game as Walton's new head coach. "I think it’s fantastic that our football programs get such large crowds, and I’d like to get as close as possible to that atmosphere for our volleyball games. This is a great opportunity for these girls to show off how incredibly hard they work and be recognized for it."

"This is a first-of-its-kind outdoor high school volleyball match in Georgia, and it's going to be very exciting for our communities," said Pope Athletic Director Josh Mathews. "We believe this will be one of those moments that these student-athletes will take with them for years to come. They will be able to reminisce on doing something that had never been done before!"

Of course, an outdoor game comes with the potential of rain, which could move the game indoors. AD Mathews and Coach Miller have discussed this possibility and will be ready to transition to the gym quickly. Even so, everyone is hoping for clear skies and a beautiful evening.

"This is an excellent opportunity to do something unique and provide the community with a different experience," said Walton AD Chris Jones. "Volleyball is a fast-growing sport in Georgia, and this will be a memorable event for both the teams and the fans on both sides."

"We are always looking for new ways to improve our players’ experience," concluded AD Mathews. "I hope this event inspires other schools to try something similar in the future."

Mark your calendar now and plan to attend THE volleyball event of the season: the Backyard Brawl at Pope High School under the lights! See you there!