Volleyball at Wrigley: A Milestone for Ava Falduto

Former IC Catholic volleyball standout Ava Falduto has been a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, a legacy she embraced from infancy. Pictures of her as a baby in a Cubs cheerleading outfit alongside family adorned with Cubs hats comedy capture her family’s passion.

Her earliest recollections of Wrigley Field center around the 2016 season, notably marked by the Cubs’ World Series victory. Yet, until recently, Falduto, who hails from Elmhurst, hadn’t ventured onto Wrigley’s field herself.

On Sunday, breaking new ground, Falduto and her Penn State teammates faced off against Kentucky during the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week at Wrigley Field. This historic match marked the venue’s volleyball debut.

“My siblings and I all played softball and baseball growing up, so it’s always been in our family,” Falduto expressed. Anticipating the event at the iconic stadium left her astonished. “My whole family got to be there, so it was really cool for them to experience that too.”

As a junior libero, Falduto contributed 11 digs and six assists, although Penn State succumbed to the defending national runner-up in four sets. The match captivated 43,067 attendees, heralding as the second-largest crowd at Wrigley and notably the second-largest for any volleyball match.

“It was like a dream come true that I never even thought I could have, so the whole experience was just awesome.” Falduto stated. “Obviously we didn’t win, but the whole thing was so cool.”

The Nittany Lions, under the helm of former Mother McAuley star Katie Schumacher-Cawley, had eagerly anticipated the Wrigley match for nearly nine months. Falduto, sworn to secrecy following her coach’s revelation, shared the thrill she felt once the news emerged, sparking instant enthusiasm across her circles.

Her parents, John and Jen, adeptly managed ticketing arrangements for the event, enabling many friends and family to show their support.

“Luckily, my parents were able to figure that out,” Falduto noted, appreciating the presence and encouragement from loved ones post-match.

On the eve of the game, Falduto, alongside freshman teammate Haley Burgdorf, stepped onto the Wrigley’s grass for a jersey reveal video shoot, enjoying first sights of the court under construction. Practicing under Saturday’s lights allowed the team to acclimate to outdoor conditions.

“It was definitely an adjustment with the wind that night, but during our game, the wind was not bad at all,” she remarked, noting the manageable conditions.

Burgdorf reflected on court condensation issues faced during their match, reminiscent of previous experiences at Sports Performance.

Penn State donned pinstripe uniforms nodding to the Cubs, which Falduto lauded for their design and baseball-inspired theme.

Former star Gillian Grimes, amongst spectators, extolled Falduto’s performance, sharing the occasion’s unique thrill.

“It was like a dream,” Grimes conveyed, praising Falduto’s skill and reflecting on her own proximal connection to the venue.

Post-match, Falduto and teammates secured victory against DePaul, maintaining momentum ahead of an upcoming match at Philadelphia’s Palestra against Stanford.

“We’ve had so many neat opportunities, but we also have a really great group of girls, and it’s been so fun to compete with them.” Falduto observed.

Burgdorf celebrated Falduto’s positive influence, appreciating her uplifting demeanor on the court.

“She’s just such a smiley person on the court, and it’s good to look at her have fun and me realize that I can have fun on the court too.”

Ongoing accomplishments accompany Falduto’s volleyball journey, from leading her high school team to state championships to securing a national title at Penn State.

“I don’t know if anything compares to this one,” Falduto concluded, reflecting on the unparalleled experience at Wrigley Field.