Back in 2023, the NCAA D1 Women’s Volleyball Championship set multiple new records. “I think people are finally seeing that this is such a fun sport to watch. It’s so fast paced, and the athleticism that’s displayed from point to point is truly amazing,” said ESPN broadcaster and former Louisville star Katie George on the sudden surge in popularity of volleyball. Fans and pundits of the sport knew then that a snowball effect was on the table. And it looks like a Nike x Skims joint venture is finally here to pay the game its dues.

On September 22, LOVB Austin’s Madisen Skinner shared some incredible news on Instagram that will undoubtedly make the volleyball fans beam. “For the girls who push themselves every day to be 1% better,” the celebrity outside hitter wrote in her social media update, giving her followers a sneak peek into the Nike x Skims collab. The new line of sports apparel brings the best of both worlds: Nike’s deep understanding of women athletes’ necessities blended with the suave fashion of Kim Kardashian’s inner garments brand.

“Designed to sculpt. Engineered to perform,” the official IG handle of the sport merchandise giant describes the new line. By becoming part of the Nike x Skims joint project, Madi has entered a special club that boasts members like tennis icon Serena Williams, track sensation Sha’Carri Richardson, and many others. “Skims is very body-oriented…so our next evolution was that we really wanted to do activewear. Our dream was to work with Nike: Their legacy, innovation, and athlete insights — it was the perfect thing to mix with Skims, and our dedication to the female form,” Kardashian told Vogue on why the collab “just made sense.”

Those lucky enough to try out the products early can’t stop talking about them. The Nike x Skims project got Williams’ approval, who noted the fabric felt like “butter on your skin.” The Skims owner stated in a press release about the goal of the new project, “Built from Nike’s unparalleled relationship with athletes and SKIMS’ solutions-first approach, NikeSKIMS delivers what no other brand can: a new aesthetic and system of dress, obsessively crafted for the body, from the studio to the gym and beyond.”

The final result of the Nike x Skims brainstorming sessions will hit the shelves on September 26, and the line will feature seven collections and 58 silhouettes. A lot of options for Skinner to go over, indeed! Coincidentally, the opening sentence of this write-up is from the same year that Madi won her second NCAA title with Texas, helping the Longhorns defend their national silverware. And she’s fresh off representing the Stars and Stripes at the Volleyball Nations League and the FIVB World Championships. Maybe getting to train in the Nike x Skims products will help the six-foot-two volleyball star to raise the bar a notch or two!

Skinner’s inclusion in the Nike x Skims photo-op and early access does make sense, though. With volleyball steadily growing in popularity in the US, more and more TV time is being allocated to the sport by broadcasters. Under such circumstances, Kardashian could be hoping to tap into a community where her brand didn’t have a footprint previously.

But this isn’t the first time that the reality TV star has sought to get familiar with the volleyball community to show up with her treasure trove.

The Nike x Skims isn’t the first of its kind

Along with college volleyball, the attention on the national team’s campaigns has steadily grown in recent years. Attendance and viewership numbers for both the NCAA and professional circuits have attained newer heights repeatedly over the past couple of years. Just recently, Harper Murray, the Nebraska Huskers’ opposite hitter, signed a massive deal with Adidas as part of NIL (name, image, and likeness). Naturally, such growth trends have caught the eyes of stars and brands from other walks of life, and Kim Kardashian recently joined in on the bandwagon.

In July, Skims announced it would partner up with League One Volleyball (LOVB), one of the country’s biggest women’s pro volleyball tournaments. “We’re excited to partner with League One Volleyball and to support the incredible community they’re building…Together, we look forward to inspiring confidence and empowering athlete at every level through innovative products, community activations, and storytelling that celebrates the athletes on and off the court,” Kardashian said about the high-profile link-up.

Madi Skinner is often hailed as the poster girl for LOVB, thanks to her incredible maiden campaign with the Austin franchise. Remembering this little anecdote, one could assume how the Nike x Skims project roped the former Longhorns star into the fray. So, what’s next? Do you foresee for Skinner and for volleyball in general in the US? Drop a comment to share your thoughts!