NCAA Volleyball Tournament: Regional Round Brings Drama, Stars, and Surprises
The NCAA volleyball tournament is heating up as it heads into the regional round on Thursday and Friday, and fans are in for a treat. With a mix of powerhouse programs and unexpected underdogs still in the mix, the action promises to be nothing short of thrilling. The four No. 1 seeds—Pittsburgh, Nebraska, Penn State, and Louisville—have all advanced, but not without some nail-biting moments along the way.
Pitt had to fend off a feisty Oklahoma team, going to extra points in the first set. Penn State dropped a set to North Carolina before regaining control, while Louisville survived match points against Northern Iowa in a heart-stopping second-round clash. Nebraska, on the other hand, cruised through its first two rounds, sweeping all six sets with ease.
However, the tournament hasn’t been kind to all the top seeds. A No. 2 seed (SMU) and two No. 3 seeds (Kansas and Arizona State) were eliminated early. According to ESPN’s Stats and Information, since seeding began in 2000, only four of the 102 teams to earn a top-three seed have failed to reach the regional semifinals—and three of those upsets happened this year. Talk about chaos!
Amid the upsets, the tournament has showcased some of the sport’s brightest stars, while a few new names have emerged as players to watch. Let’s dive into the standout performances and the matchups ahead.
Stars Who Shined in the Early Rounds
- Elena Scott (Louisville): Scott tied her season-high with 26 digs in Louisville’s dramatic win over Northern Iowa. The Cardinals advanced on a clutch kill by Anna DeBeer, but Scott’s defensive brilliance was key.
- Madisen Skinner (Texas): The two-time defending national champions leaned on Skinner, who racked up 23 kills in a dominant performance against USC.
- Mychael Vernon (Missouri): Vernon, a transfer from Oregon State, delivered 23 kills to help Missouri pull off a stunning upset over SMU.
- Kennedy Martin (Florida): Martin was unstoppable in Florida’s upset of Kansas, hammering down 33 kills—the most by a Gator in the rally-scoring era.
- Logan Lednicky (Texas A&M): Lednicky hit an incredible .500 with 27 kills to lead the Aggies past Arizona State in four sets.
With 16 teams remaining, here are the matchups and players you need to keep an eye on as the regional round unfolds.
No. 1 Pittsburgh vs. No. 4 Oregon
Torrey Stafford (Pittsburgh): Stafford has been a quiet but deadly force for the Panthers, hitting .369 as an outside hitter. She’s a semifinalist for the national player of the year and will be a key factor against Oregon.
Mimi Colyer (Oregon): Colyer, a 6-foot-3 junior, is a powerhouse for the Ducks. She led Oregon with 19 kills in their second-round win over TCU and will need to bring her A-game to challenge Pitt.
No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 5 Dayton
Andi Jackson (Nebraska): Jackson’s explosive slide attack makes her one of the most dynamic middle hitters in the country. She’s hitting .435 this season and will be crucial for Nebraska’s balanced offense.
Lexie Almodovar (Dayton): Almodovar is a scoring machine, averaging 5.02 kills per set. She recorded a career-high 34 kills in Dayton’s five-set thriller against Baylor and will look to keep the Flyers’ Cinderella run alive.
No. 1 Penn State vs. No. 5 Marquette
Izzy Starck (Penn State): The Big Ten Freshman of the Year has been a revelation for the Nittany Lions, averaging 11 assists per set and running a high-powered offense with precision.
Aubrey Hamilton (Marquette): Hamilton’s 20 kills against Utah helped Marquette pull off an upset in the second round. The Wisconsin native will be key to the Golden Eagles’ hopes of toppling Penn State.
No. 1 Louisville vs. No. 4 Purdue
Charitie Luper (Louisville): Luper’s clutch play in the second round, including a critical kill and serve to clinch the match, showcased her ability to deliver under pressure.
Eva Hudson (Purdue): Hudson leads the tournament field with 6.83 kills per set and has been an offensive juggernaut for the Boilermakers. Her 41 kills in the first two rounds are a testament to her dominance.
No. 2 Stanford vs. No. 6 Florida
Elia Rubin (Stanford): Rubin has been on fire in the postseason, hitting .577 in Stanford’s sweep of Loyola Marymount. Her sharp angles and powerful swings make her a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Kennedy Martin (Florida): Martin’s 33-kill performance against Kansas was nothing short of spectacular. The sophomore is just 17 kills away from joining the 1,000-kill club.
No. 2 Creighton vs. No. 3 Texas
Norah Sis (Creighton): Sis, a nursing major, has been a consistent force for the Bluejays. She moved into second place on Creighton’s all-time kills list during the first round and will be pivotal against Texas.
Marianna Singletary (Texas): Singletary has stepped into a leadership role for the Longhorns, excelling as a blocker and offensive threat. Her energy could be the spark Texas needs to keep its three-peat hopes alive.
No. 2 Wisconsin vs. No. 6 Texas A&M
Sarah Franklin (Wisconsin): The two-time Big Ten Player of the Year has been a dominant force for the Badgers, averaging 4.48 kills per set. Her nickname, “Frank the Tank,” says it all.
Ifenna Cos-Okpalla (Texas A&M): Cos-Okpalla’s all-around game, including 12 kills and eight blocks in the early rounds, has been a key factor in the Aggies’ surprising run to the regional semifinals.
No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 7 Missouri
Brooklyn DeLeye (Kentucky): DeLeye, the SEC Player of the Year, has been a standout for the Wildcats, delivering 37 kills in their first two tournament matches. Kentucky will rely on her firepower to get past Missouri.
Maya Sands (Missouri): Sands, the SEC’s two-time Libero of the Year, has been a defensive anchor for the Tigers. Her 14 digs and four aces against SMU were instrumental in Missouri’s upset win.
The regional round is set to deliver more drama, jaw-dropping plays, and unforgettable moments. With so much talent on display, this year’s NCAA volleyball tournament is shaping up to be one for the ages.
Originally Written by: Mechelle Voepel
