FISHERS, Ind. — It was a night to remember for Indy Ignite original season ticket holders.
Loyal fans were the first to witness central Indiana's newest professional women's volleyball team make a blockbuster debut Thursday in their new home during "Founder's Day."
As the team stepped on their brand-new court at the Fishers Event Center, they gave fans plenty to cheer about during a nail-biting scrimmage, complete with a mascot debut, a drumline performance by Fishers High School and player autographs.
The team's original fan base, The Founder's Club, got a chance to witness the first-ever scrimmage by invite only. It's a way for the team to thank thousands of fans who have supported the team since it was announced.
"We came when (Fishers Event Center) was still being built," outside hitter Leketor Member-Meneh said at a press conference. "We've been through it from beginning and now seeing the final project, we're just so extremely grateful and excited to be able to play here."
Players like Meneh and setter Sydney Hilley delivered the kind of play that makes professional volleyball thrilling.
"I'm just so excited to see, like where we can be by the first game, and then by the end of the season because I think we're just going to be steadily getting better the whole way," Hilley said.
But the night wasn't just about giving fans a VIP experience. It was also about giving young children role models to look up to.
"We didn't have role models to look up to that were professional U.S. volleyball players. Now that's something that (children) can be like, 'I want to grow up and be a professional volleyball player,'" Hilley said. "It's really cool just to take a step back and realize how lucky we are and how we're kind of paving the way for generations to come."
Generations that, years later, will look back at this moment and see where it all began.
"We're just so extremely grateful and excited to be able to play here and seeing as many fans as we did, and it's not even the home opener," Meneh said.
Indy Ignite will be the newest team of the Pro Volleyball Federation in 2025. Their home opener is scheduled for Jan. 11 at the Fishers Event Center.
Tickets can be purchased here.