NCAA Women’s Volleyball Final Four: All Four No. 1 Seeds Advance
The NCAA Women’s Volleyball Final Four is set, and it’s a historic one. For the first time in years, all four No. 1 seeds have punched their tickets to the semifinals. Nebraska and Penn State secured their spots on Sunday, joining Pitt and Louisville, who advanced on Saturday. This sets the stage for an epic showdown in Louisville, Kentucky, where the national semifinals will take place this Thursday.
Mark your calendars, volleyball fans! The action kicks off with the hometown Louisville Cardinals taking on the Pitt Panthers at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by a clash between the Nebraska Huskers and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Both matches will be broadcast live on ESPN, with the national championship match scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 22, at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. It’s a week of volleyball you won’t want to miss.
Conference Rivalries Take Center Stage
What makes this Final Four even more intriguing is the conference rivalries at play. On one side of the bracket, ACC powerhouses Louisville and Pitt are battling for their first-ever national championship in volleyball. On the other side, Big Ten juggernauts Penn State and Nebraska bring a combined 12 NCAA titles and nine runner-up finishes to the table. Talk about a clash of titans!
During the regular season, Pitt, the No. 1 overall seed, had Louisville’s number, defeating them in both of their matchups. Similarly, Penn State got the better of Nebraska in their lone meeting. Will history repeat itself, or will the underdogs rise to the occasion? That’s the million-dollar question heading into Thursday’s semifinals.
Nebraska Dominates Wisconsin to Advance
The Nebraska Huskers are no strangers to the Final Four, making their 18th appearance in the NCAA semifinals. On Sunday, they made quick work of Wisconsin, sweeping the Badgers 26-24, 25-17, 25-21. Taylor Landfair, a senior who transferred from Minnesota, led the charge with 11 kills. Nebraska also swept Wisconsin in both of their Big Ten regular-season meetings, proving their dominance over their conference rival.
With four national titles under their belt, Nebraska is led by head coach John Cook, the only coach in this year’s Final Four with a championship pedigree. Can Cook guide the Huskers to yet another title? The road won’t be easy, but Nebraska’s performance so far suggests they’re up for the challenge.
Penn State Survives a Thriller Against Creighton
While Nebraska cruised to victory, Penn State had to dig deep to secure their spot in the Final Four. The Nittany Lions faced a determined Creighton squad in the regional final, and the match went the distance. Creighton, a No. 2 seed, was looking to make its first-ever Final Four appearance and set up an all-Nebraska semifinal. But Penn State, playing on its home court, held firm in the fifth set, winning 15-7 to clinch the match.
Jess Mruzick was the star of the night for Penn State, racking up 20 kills to lead her team to victory. This marks Penn State’s 14th trip to the NCAA Final Four, and they’ll be looking to add to their storied history of seven national championships. However, all of those titles came under former head coach Russ Rose, who retired in 2021. Can current head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley bring the Nittany Lions back to the top?
History in the Making?
One of the most compelling storylines heading into the Final Four is the potential for history to be made. No woman head coach has ever won the NCAA Division I volleyball championship since its inception in 1981. This year, there’s a chance that could change. Both Louisville’s Dani Busboom Kelly and Penn State’s Katie Schumacher-Cawley are in the running to break that barrier. Will 2024 be the year we see a woman coach hoist the trophy? It’s a narrative that adds even more excitement to an already thrilling tournament.
What to Watch For
As we gear up for Thursday’s semifinals, here are a few key storylines to keep an eye on:
- ACC Showdown: Can Louisville finally get the better of Pitt, or will the Panthers continue their dominance?
- Big Ten Battle: Will Nebraska’s experience shine through, or can Penn State pull off another gritty win?
- Coaching Milestones: Will John Cook add another title to his resume, or will a first-time champion emerge?
- Historic First: Could this be the year a woman head coach wins it all?
With so much on the line, the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Final Four promises to deliver unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, this is must-watch TV. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and get ready for some high-stakes volleyball action. The road to the championship starts now!
Originally Written by: Mechelle Voepel
