Ava Falduto, a former volleyball star from IC Catholic, has always been a Chicago Cubs fan. Her love for the Cubs started early in life. ‘I used to wear this Cubs cheerleading outfit all the time when I was a baby,’ Falduto recalls, mentioning the numerous family photos featuring Cubs hats. Her first memory of attending a game at Wrigley Field was in 2016, the year the Cubs clinched the World Series. She has pictures from that summer, a testament to her long-standing fandom.
Growing up in Elmhurst, Falduto hadn’t set foot on the field of Wrigley until recently. On a Sunday, she and her Penn State teammates faced Kentucky in the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, marking the first volleyball match ever played at the famed venue. Unfortunately, the second match between Nebraska and Missouri was halted due to court condensation.
Me and my family grew up going to Cubs games all the time. My siblings and I all played softball and baseball growing up, so it’s always been in our family.
Falduto expressed her surprise when she learned the match would be at Wrigley: ‘My jaw was on the floor.’ Her family attended, adding to the special experience. Playing as a junior libero, Falduto recorded 11 digs and six assists. Although Penn State lost in four sets against the national runner-up, the event drew a notable crowd and was broadcast on Fox.
Months before the match, the excitement had been building. Falduto learned about it towards the end of the last season but had to keep it a secret. ‘I could not keep this in,’ she admitted. The event was initially kept quiet, but once confirmed, it generated immediate interest. Falduto’s parents, John and Jen, managed ticket requests, ensuring family and friends could attend the game.
Before stepping on the field, Falduto and Haley Burgdorf, a freshman outside hitter, had the chance to see the court’s construction. Falduto described the moment they arrived, noting they were among the first from Penn State to see the venue. ‘My jaw was on the ground,’ she said, reflecting on the awe of experiencing the setting live.
The team practiced on Saturday night, acclimating to the outdoor conditions, including the wind, which was less of an issue during the game. Burgdorf mentioned efforts to manage the condensation on the court, a task reminiscent of her Sports Performance days.
Penn State wore pinstripe uniforms for the game, a nod to the Cubs. ‘They were really cool,’ Falduto remarked positively. Former Penn State star Gillian Grimes, watching from the grass, admired Falduto’s performance, having missed the opportunity to play by a year.
The memorable weekend concluded with a win against DePaul. Looking ahead, Penn State aims to play Stanford at the Palestra in Philadelphia. Falduto credits her team’s camaraderie, emphasizing their readiness to succeed.
Teammate Haley Burgdorf praises Falduto’s supportive nature on the court, emphasizing their mutual encouragement. Falduto’s impressive volleyball journey includes leading IC Catholic to state championship matches and winning a national title at Penn State. Yet, she considers playing at Wrigley a standout moment.
I don’t know if anything compares to this one. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
Matt Le Cren contributed to this article.