VolleyMob

Mater Dei, Torrey Pines Swap Spots in USA Today Super 25

Only two teams moved in the most recent USA Super 25 rankings realeased Nov. 29. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) and Torrey Pines (San Diego, California) traded spots amidst the California State Championships.

Mater Dei moved from nine to eight and Torrey Pines dropped one spot to nine.

Upcoming on the state tournament slate is a meeting between Mater Dei and No. 18 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, California) in the finals.

The remainder of the top 25 stayed put with Louisville’s Assumption High School holding down the No. 1 spot.

Rank School (Location) Record Last Week
1 Assumption (Louisville, Kentucky) 40-3 1
2 Walton (Marietta, Georgia) 40-1 2
3 Marist (Chicago, Illinois) 41-1 3
4 Hebron (Carrollton, Texas) 41-7 4
5 Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio) 28-1 5
6 PM Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.) 42-4 6
7 Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Colorado) 25-0 7
8 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) 37-5 9
9 Torrey Pines (San Diego, California) 34-4 8
10 Prosper (Prosper, Texas) 46-6 10
11 Rouse (Leander, Texas) 51-4 11
12 Wando (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) 48-4 12
13 Lakeville North (Lakeville, Minnesota) 32-2 13
14 Marian (Omaha, Nebraska) 38-2 14
15 Eagan (Eagan, Minnesota) 30-2 15
16 St. Joseph’s Academy (St. Louis, Missouri) 30-3 16
17 Lenexa-St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kansas) 39-6 17
18 Mitty (San Jose, California) 36-5 18
19 Olathe Northwest (Olathe, Kansas) 40-4 19
20 Minooka (Minooka, Illinois) 39-3 20
21 Avon (Avon, Indiana) 37-3 21
22 Notre Dame-Pontiac (Pontiac, Michigan) 64-2 22
23 West Orange (Winter Garden, Florida) 29-0 23
24 Seven Lakes (Katy, Texas) 27-8 24
25 Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas) 38-2 25

As one of the top four seeds, Penn State will look to play at home through the first four rounds of the NCAA Tournament, but first the Nittany Lions will play host to Howard, Pittsburgh and VCU for opening round play.

Also in the University Park regional are four-team pods which will be played in Omaha, Nebraska; Wichita, Kansas; and Seattle, Washington.

Below is a look at each four team pod followed by VolleyMob’s predictions for the match outcomes.

UNIVERSITY PARK POD:

HOWARD AT #1 PENN STATE

Common Opponents:

  • Ohio – Howard lost 3-1; Penn State won 3-0
  • Iowa – Howard lost 3-1; Penn State won 3-1, 3-0

#1 PENN STATE

How They Got Here: Penn State went 29-1 in the regular season, including 19-1 in Big Ten play en route to a co-championship with Nebraska. The Nittany Lions earned an at-large berth after the Huskers claimed the Big Ten’s automatic berth on tiebreakers. PSU enters the tournament on a 19-match win streak.

NCAA History: Has appeared in all 37 NCAA Tournaments, making 12 NCAA final four appearances, 10 NCAA finals and winning seven NCAA titles

Stat Leaders: As a team, Penn State leads the nation in hitting percentage (.347) and ranks seventh in blocks per set (3.03).

Senior outside hitters Simone Lee and Ali Frantti and senior middle blocker Haleigh Washington each have posted more than 2.00 kills per set. Lee has notched 3.93 kills per set while hitting at a .324 clip and adding 2.27 digs per set and 22 aces. Washington is averaging 3.02 kills per set on an NCAA best .515 hitting effort to go with a team-leading 1.50 blocks per set and 19 aces. Frantti has downed 2.40 kills per set, while hitting .252 and adding 1.76 digs per set and 18 aces.

The Nittany Lions run a 6-2 offense led by senior Abby Detering (5.71 assists per set) and redshirt junior Bryanna Weiskircher (6.51 assists per set). Detering has served up a team-best 30 aces and added 1.76 digs per set, while Weiskircher has notched 27 aces and added 1.87 digs per set.

Defensively, sophomore libero Kendall White has pulled up a team-leading 3.73 digs per set followed by Lee (2.27). At the net, redshirt sophomore middle Tori Gorrell (1.01) and senior right side Heidi Thelen (0.95) follow Washington’s 1.50 blocks per set average.

 

HOWARD

How They Got Here: Howard won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament championship for the third straight season. The Bison (16-15), which entered the event as the No. 2 seed out of the MEAC north division, swept North Carolina A&T, Hampton and Florida A&M en route to the tournament crown.

NCAA History: The Bison are making their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance, following berths in 1994, 2015 and 2016. Howard has kicked off the NCAAs against a Big Ten team each of the last three years, facing Penn State in the first round in 2015 and Wisconsin in 2016.

Stat Leaders: Senior outside hitters Khalia Donaldson and Jessica Young lead the way for the Howard offense, turning in 3.61 and 3.22 kills per set respectively. The pair also paces the Bison from the service line with 29 and 27 aces. Sophomore middle Kira Porter also aids the offense with 2.10 kills per set, while hitting at a team-best .323 clip.

Junior middle Olubunmi Okunade is tops on the team with 0.92 blocks per set, while Porter adds 0.80 stuffs per stanza. In the backcourt, freshman libero Fola Wilson has pulled up a team-best 2.79 digs per set, while five other players average nearly two digs per set. Junior setter Tamia Dockery (2.63), Donaldson (2.47), senior defensive specialist Carlise Cardoza (2.44) freshman outside Jurnee Tipton (1.95) and freshman defensive specialist Abby Morrow (1.93) round out the group.

As a team, Howard is hitting at a .231 clip, while limiting foes to a .174 effort.

 

VCU VS. PITTSBURGH

Common Opponents:

  • Notre Dame – Pittsburgh won 3-0; VCU lost 3-1
  • Dayton – Pittsburgh won 3-0; VCU won 3-2, 3-2
  • Saint Louis – Pittsburgh won 3-0; VCU won 3-0
  • Virginia – Pittsburgh won 3-0, 3-0; VCU won 3-0

VCU

How They Got Here: VCU (30-2) ran the table on the Atlantic 10 Conference at 14-0, then captured the league’s tournament title with wins over Rhode Island and Dayton. The Rams enter the NCAA Tournament on a 27-match win streak, with its last loss coming on Sept. 1 against Notre Dame. VCU played two other NCAA teams besides the Irish, in High Point (W 3-2) and Howard (W 3-2).

NCAA History: The Rams are making the second NCAA appearance in program history and first since 2005.

Stat Leaders: VCU leads the nation in blocks per set (3.27) and opponent hitting percentage (.126) and ranks 18th in aces per set (1.61).

Senior outside hitter Alica Kandler leads a trio of players averaging more than 2.00 kills per set. Kandler turns in 2.77 kills and 2.22 digs per set to go with 29 aces. Sophomore outside Vicky Giommarini (2.65) and sophomore opposite Gina Tuzzolo (2.37) follow, while also serving up a team-best 39 and 38 aces respectively. Junior middle Tori Baldwin chips in 1.83 kills per set at a team-best .360 clip and putting up a team-high 1.56 blocks per set. Sophomore middle Jasmin Sneed (1.52) and Tuzzolo (1.04) also add more than a block per set.

In the backcourt, senior libero Rebekah Strange has pulled up a team-high 5.01 digs per set. Kandler (2.22), Giommarini (1.88) and sophomore setter Dajah Ard (1.72) also aid the defense.

 

PITTSBURGH

How They Got Here: Pittsburgh (25-6) earned an at-large berth after tying Louisville for the regular season Atlantic Coast Conference title. Both teams managed an 18-2 league mark, but the Cardinals took the automatic berth on tiebreakers.

NCAA History: The Panthers are making their second straight NCAA appearance, and 15th overall. Pitt advanced to the second round in 2016, before falling to host Penn State in University Park. That ended a postseason drought dating to 2004.

Stat Leaders: As a team, Pitt ranks among the top 20 nationally in kills per set (11th with 14.48), assists per set (14th with 13.51) and hitting percentage (18th with .273).

ACC Player of the Year Nika Markovic is averaging nearly 3.93 kills per set to pace the Panther offense, while hitting at a .313 clip. The sophomore right side hitter also has served up a team-high 34 aces and added 2.10 digs and 0.89 blocks per set. Redshirt sophomore outside Stephanie Williams (3.30) and sophomore middle blocker Layne Van Buskirk (2.28) also contribute more than two kills per set. Van Buskirk is hitting at a team-best .314 clip, while Williams has served up 31 aces and paces the team on the block with 0.93 stuffs per set. Freshman right side Chinaza Ndee follows with 0.88 blocks per set.

In the backcourt, redshirt junior libero Angela Seman leads a group of five players averaging nearly two digs per set. Seman has posted 3.61 digs per set, followed by Williams (2.23), Markovic (2.10), freshman outside Kayla Lund (2.00) and junior setter Kamalani Akeo (1.99).

 

PREDICTIONS:

Penn State defeats Howard 3-0

  • In the end, the physicality, efficiency and experience of Penn State will be too much for Howard.

VCU defeats Pittsburgh 3-2

  • In a battle of the nation’s best net defense and one of the top 15 teams offensively, the Rams may eventually wear down the Panther attack.
  • The key to the match will be how balanced Pitt can be offensively. Too much reliance on Markovic could cause the match to be much shorter.

Penn State def. VCU 3-0

  • Penn State, at home, with the Sweet 16 on the line. Russ Rose’s squad will be ready. VCU may statistically be the nation’s blocking leader, but they haven’t faced the likes of Simone Lee or Haleigh Washington before. This could get ugly.

 

WICHITA POD:

KANSAS VS. MISSOURI

Common Opponents:

  • Kentucky: Kansas won 3-0; Missouri lost 3-1

KANSAS

How They Got Here: Kansas (22-7) earned an at-large berth after finishing tied for third in Big 12 play. The team lost four of its last seven, falling to Iowa State, Baylor, Texas and unranked West Virginia.

NCAA History: The Jayhawks are making their sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and the ninth in program history (also 2003, 2004 and 2005). Kansas advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2013 and Final Four in 2015.

Stat Leaders: Senior right side hitter Kelsie Payne and senior outside Madison Rigdon put down more than 3.50 kills per set to lead the Kansas offensive charge. Payne downs 3.73 kills per set, while hitting at a .302 clip, while Rigdon adds 3.62 kills per set, while hitting .214 and serving up a team-high 27 aces. Sophomore outside Jade Burse follows with 2.48 putaways per stanza.

Sophomore middle Zoe Hill paces the team at the net with 0.99 blocks per set, while sophomore libero Allie Nelson is tops in the backcourt with 4.30 digs per set. Senior setter Ainise Havili (3.05), Rigdon (2.57), senior Tori Miller (2.36) and Payne (1.92) also manage nearly two digs per set. Havili ranks 17th nationally with 11.47 assists per set.

As a team, Kansas is hitting at a .258 clip and tallies 2.00 blocks per set.

 

MISSOURI

How They Got Here: Missouri went 20-11, including a 13-5 mark in SEC play, good for third place behind co-champions Florida and Kentucky. The Tigers won eight of their last 10 matches, with both losses coming to Florida.

NCAA History: The Tigers are making their third straight NCAA appearance and the 14th in program history. Missouri has advanced to the second round eight times and to the Sweet 16 on three occasions, including 2016. (Missouri and Kansas last played in the 2015 NCAA Tournament with the Jayhawks winning 3-0 in the second round)

Stat Leaders: The Tigers rank sixth nationally in blocks per set (3.03), including two players that put up more than a block per stanza.

Junior middle Alyssa Munlyn leads the way with 1.52 stuffs per set, ranking eighth nationally, while also hitting at a .401 clip (16th nationally). Joining her with more than a block per set is Kayla Caffey (1.03).

Munlyn is one of six players who average nearly two kills per set for the Tigers. Freshman Leketor Member-Meneh paces the team with 2.64 kills per set, followed by redshirt senior outside Melanie Crow (2.43), redshirt senior opposite Kira Larson (2.36), senior outside Sydney Deeken (2.27), Munlyn (2.14) and freshman outside Dariana Hollingsworth (1.99). Larson is clutch behind the service line with a team-best 36 aces, while also adding 2.29 digs per set and 0.76 blocks per set.

The Tigers run a 6-2 offense led by seniors Courtney Eckenrode (7.67 assists per set) and Ali Kreklow (4.07), which have guided the team to a .245 hitting efficiency. In the backcourt, Mizzou relies on redshirt sophomore libero Riley Sents (3.51 digs per set), but Larson (2.29) and Eckenrode (2.00) also assist with the defensive efforts.

 

RADFORD AT #16 WICHITA STATE

Common Opponents:

  • Miami (Ohio) – Wichita State won 3-1; Radford lost 3-0
  • East Tennessee State – Wichita State won 3-0; Radford won 3-2

RADFORD

How They Got Here: The Highlanders earned an automatic berth by winning the Big South Tournament championship. Radford entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed and defeated Winthrop and top seeded High Point en route to the title.

NCAA History: Radford is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013 and fourth overall (also 1993 and 2000).

Stat Leaders: The Highlanders rank 10th nationally in opponent hitting percentage at .149, but that may be a product of the caliber of opponents faced (just five matches against RPI Top 100 teams). Radford is hitting .251 as a team in its own right.

Senior outside Maddie Palmer is the team’s all-around leader, turning in 4.61 points and 4.04 kills per set (ranking 35th and 40th nationally), to go with a team-high 3.58 digs per set and 27 aces. Three other players join Palmer with more than two kills per set: junior right side Valerie Gonzalez (2.75), sophomore right side Stephanie Neast (2.62) and sophomore middle Mallory McKnight (2.07). McKnight is hitting at a team-best .316 clip. Junior setter Haley Kleepsies has dished out 10.23 assists per set, while also serving up a team-leading 37 aces and adding 2.07 digs per set.

In addition to Palmer (3.58 digs per set), senior libero Kaylor Nash holds things down in the backcourt with 3.53 digs per set alongside freshman defensive specialist Alyssa Carruth (2.80) and Kleepsies (2.07). Junior middle Amaya Rousseau is the team’s best blocker with 0.86 per set.

 

WICHITA STATE

How They Got Here: The Shockers (28-3) earned the American Athletic Conference’s automatic berth running the table with 20-0 mark. Sixteen of the team’s conference wins came via sweep. In addition, Wichita State faced seven NCAA teams during non-conference play, tallying four wins.

NCAA History: The Shockers are making their third straight NCAA appearance and 11th overall. Wichita State, which has made the tournament 10 of the last 11 years, is a top 16 seed for the first time in program history.

Stat Leaders: The Shockers rank in the national top 10 in four categories: opponent hitting percentage (6th, .145), kills per set (7th with 14.69), assists per set (7th, 13.81) and hitting percentage (9th, .301). The teams also is top 30 in blocks per set (29th with 2.63) and digs per set (29th, 17.19).

Senior middle Abbie Lehman, the school’s all-time block assists leader, paces the team offensively with 3.68 kills per set on a .446 hitting effort (fourth nationally) to go with her 1.38 blocks per set average (25th nationally). Lehman is far from the team’s only option, however, as junior outside Tabitha Brown (3.58) and senior outside Mikaela Raudsepp (2.77) are right behind and each hits at a .240 or better clip.

Defensively, WSU looks to redshirt freshman libero Giorgia Civita, who delivers 5.23 digs per set. Senior defensive specialist Gabi Mostrom (2.48), senior setter Emily Heibert (2.37) and senior defensive specialist Hanna Shelton (2.26) follow. Lehman is the lone player with more than a block per set, but redshirt freshman middle Emma Wright (0.99) and Heibert (0.88) are not far behind. Heibert also guides the Shocker offense with 11.50 assists per set (15th nationally).

 

PREDICTIONS:

Missouri def. Kansas 3-2

  • This battle will be won at the net. If Missouri’s blocking can keep Kansas one dimensional, it could be over sooner than five sets.
  • With this being a border war and renewing of an old rivalry, however, all bets are off. Expect a barnburner.

 

Wichita State def. Radford 3-0

  • The Shockers are playing at home and are 10-1 in Charles Koch Arena this season.
  • Wichita State is battle tested for a mid-major and is just too good across the board, although with Radford’s offensive balance and efficiency, expect close sets.

 

Wichita State def. Missouri 3-1

  • The Shockers will be rested for the match after a short night against Radford, while the Tigers could be battle weary. This could be a good one, however, if Missouri takes care of business early vs. Kansas.
  • This could be closer if Missouri can spread the ball around and force Lehman to beat them single-handedly offensively.

 

OMAHA POD:

COASTAL CAROLINA AT #9 CREIGHTON

Common Opponents:

  • None

CREIGHTON

How They Got Here: Creighton (25-6) won the Big East regular season and tournament titles. The Bluejays went 16-2 in the Big East to claim their fourth-straight regular season crown and topped Villanova and Marquette in the tournament to earn the league’s automatic berth.

NCAA History: Creighton is making its sixth straight NCAA appearance and the seventh in program history. The Bluejays are acting as a host school for the first time in school history.

Stat Leaders: The Bluejays are ranked 15th in the nation in both hitting percentage (.281) and kills per set (14.37) and 19th in assists per set (13.31).

Senior setter Lydia Dimke is a key cog in the Creighton machine, whether dishing out assists (10.78 per set), serving up aces (26), racking up digs (2.58 per set), downing kills of her own (1.41 per set) or stuffing balls at the net (0.70 per set). She also has the Bluejay offense clicking and has four offensive options registering more than two kills per set. Junior outside hitter Jaali Winters is option No. 1, averaging 3.41 kills per set. Junior outside Taryn Kloth (3.05), senior middle blocker Marysa Wilkinson (2.85) and sophomore middle Megan Ballenger (2.33) follow. Wilkinson is hitting at a team-best .370 clip and also accounts for a team-high 0.93 blocks per set.

Big East Libero of the Year Brittany Witt paces the defense with 4.30 digs per set, while also serving up at a team-high 29 aces. Winters (2.82), Dimke (2.58) and junior defensive specialist Samantha Bohnet (2.23) also aid the defense with more than two digs per set.

 

COASTAL CAROLINA

How They Got Here: The Chanticleers (20-7) won the Sun Belt Conference regular season and tournament titles to earn the league’s automatic berth. Coastal went 15-1 in league play and topped Arkansas State and Texas State to claim the tournament title.

NCAA History: Coastal Carolina is making its fourth straight NCAA appearance and the seventh in program history. The Chants are coming off a 2016 season in which the program earned its first NCAA victory, a five set win over James Madison in the first round.

Stat Leaders: Four-time Player of the Year Leah Hardeman is the headliner for the Chanticleers, averaging 4.62 kills and 3.01 digs per set, while hitting at a .301 clip and serving up a team-best 23 aces. The senior outside was a two-time Big South Player of the Year and is now a two-time Sun Belt honoree. Freshman outside Kyla Manning (2.24) and sophomore opposite Kinga Windisch (1.95) are next on the team offensively. Senior middle Larissa Dos Santos is hitting at a team-best .358 clip, while adding 1.55 kills per set and a team-leading 0.94 blocks per set.

Junior libero Sydney Alvis has pulled up a team-best 4.16 digs per set, while Hardeman (3.01) and junior setter Sara Boothe (2.19) follow. Boothe also averages 7.24 assist per set in leading the Chanticleers’ 6-2 offense alongside senior setter Kate Feredico (4.25).

Coastal is hitting .247 as a team and averaging 2.30 blocks per set.

 

MISSOURI STATE VS. MICHIGAN STATE

Common Opponents:

  • Illinois – Michigan State won 3-0; Missouri State lost 3-2
  • Ohio State – Michigan State won 3-0; Missouri State won 3-1
  • Southern Illinois – Michigan State won 3-0; Missouri State won 3-0, 3-0

MISSOURI STATE

How They Got Here: The Bears earned the Missouri Valley Conference’s automatic berth, winning the league’s regular season and tournament titles. Missouri State went 18-0 in league action and defeated Indiana State and Northern Iowa via sweep in the tournament.The Bears enter the NCAAs on a 21-match win streak.

NCAA History: Missouri State is making its third straight NCAA appearance and the 13th in program history. The Bears are 1-12 all time at the NCAAs.

Stat Leaders: Missouri State boasts the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in Lily Johnson, the Libero of the Year in Emily Butters, and the Coach of the Year in Melissa Stokes.

Johnson is among the steadiest players nationally with 4.59 kills and 3.96 digs per set to go with 40 aces and a .259 hitting percentage. The senior outside ranks in the top 15 nationally in kills (13th with 4.59) and points (13th with 5.17) per set. Senior middle Lynsey Wright is a nice second option for the Bears at 3.24 kills per set and with a team-best .328 hitting efficiency. Sophmore outside Aubrey Cheffey (2.34) also is a factor offensively.

Butters notches 5.83 digs per set (10th nationally) to lead the Bears’ backcourt. Johnson (3.96), sophomore setter Daniele Messa (3.18) and senior defensive specialist Brianne Dixon (2.48) also add more than two digs per set. Junior middle MacKenzie Irwin is the team’s top blocker at just 0.88 stuffs per set. Messa dishes out 8.63 assists per set, while freshman setter Emelie Orlando adds 4.47 helpers in the team’s 6-2 offense. The team also has used a 5-1 with Messa running the show.

Missouri State is hitting at a .250 clip with 14.54 kills per set (10th nationally) and averaging 19.32 digs per set (fourth nationally).  The team also is fifth nationally in assists per set (13.85).

 

MICHIGAN STATE

How They Got Here: The Spartans (21-8) earned an at-large berth after finishing fourth in the Big Ten at 14-6.

NCAA History: Michigan State is making its seventh straight NCAA Touranment appearance and 20th overall. The Spartans have made it to the second round in each of the last six seasons and have advanced to the regional semifinals four times (last in 2013).

Stat Leaders: Redshirt senior outside Autumn Bailey leads a group of four Spartan players averaging more than 2.50 kills per set. Bailey turns in 3.53 kills per set and also adds 3.19 digs per set and 24 aces. Redshirt senior outside Brooke Kranda (3.05), senior outside Holly Toliver (2.98) and senior middle Alyssa Garvelink (2.55) follow. Garvelink is hitting at a team-best .384 clip (29th nationally), while also putting up a team-leading 1.33 blocks per set (31st nationally). Toliver and Kranda also help out from the service line with a team-best 39 aces and 29 respectively.

Defensively, the Spartans look to freshman libero Jayme Cox (3.24 digs per set) along with Bailey (3.19). Senior setter Rachel Minarick (2.34) and Tolliver (2.22) also add more than two digs per set. Minarick runs the show with 11.14 assists per set and 33 aces.

The Spartans rank ninth nationally in aces per set (1.71), 17th in kills per set (14.33) and 20th in hitting percentage (.272).

 

PREDICTIONS:

Creighton defeats Coastal Carolina 3-0

  • The Bluejays will overpower the Chanticleers offensively for the win.
  • If Hardeman can get going, with Creighton’s lack of a strong block, this one could be closer than expected.

Michigan State defeats Missouri State 3-2

  • Serving could be key in this one. If the Spartans can keep the Bears off-balance with strong serving, the match could be much shorter.
  • In a battle of high powered offenses, Garvelink’s block and the Spartans’ senior laden team could be the other X factors.

Michigan State defeats Creighton 3-1

  • Home court advantage may not be enough for the Bluejays. Experience takes over for the Spartans, but don’t expect a blowout.

 

 

SEATTLE POD

ILLINOIS VS. HAWAII

Common Opponents:

  • None

ILLINOIS

How They Got Here: The Fighting Illini (21-10) earned an at-large berth after finishing tied for fifth in the Big Ten at 12-8.

NCAA History: Illinois is making its first NCAA appearance since 2015, eighth in the last 10 seasons and 24th overall. The Illini have advanced to the Sweet 16 or further in each of its last seven appearance, including a national runnerup finish in 2011.

Stat Leaders: The Fighting Illini are top 20 nationally in blocks per set (13th, 2.91) and hitting percentage (17th, .278).

Leading the team at the net is junior middle Ali Bastianelli, who ranks fourth nationally with 1.59 stuffs per set. Bastianelli also ranks 25th in hitting percentage (.388), while turning in 2.56 kills per set. Joining Bastianelli offensively are sophomore outside Jacqueline Quade (3.38 kills per set), redshirt sophomore outside Beth Prince (3.11) and freshman outside Megan Cooney (1.90). Quade is hitting .249 and adds 18 aces.

In the backcourt, senior libero Brandi Donnelly manages 4.48 digs per set, followed by junior setter Jordyn Poulter (2.43) and freshman defensive specialist Megan O’Brien. Poulter has turned in 10 double-doubles, including a 23-dig effort against Missouri State, while dishing 10.83 assists per set and adding 95 kills of her own.

 

HAWAII

How They Got Here: The Rainbow Wahine (20-7) earned an at-large berth after finishing second in the Big West at 14-2. Hawai’i enters the tournament on a five-match win streak and went 9-1 in its last 10 matches.

NCAA History: Hawai’i is making its 25th straight NCAA appearance and 36th overall. The team exited in the second round in 2016 after making it to the Elite Eight in 2015. The Rainbow Wahine have advanced to at least the second round every year since 1997.

Stat Leaders: The Rainbow Wahine rank 21st nationally in opponent hitting percentage (.158), 29th in hitting percentage (.257) and 37th in blocks per set (2.50).

Senior middle blocker Emily Maglio leads the team at the net with 1.50 stuffs per set, (13th nationally), while also turning in a .392 hitting effort (21st nationally). Offensively, Hawaii leans on junior outside McKenna Granato and Maglio, who post 3.94 and 3.34 kills per set respectively. Granato also aids the team with 2.54 digs per set and 33 aces. Junior outside Casey Castillo is the third offensive option, averaging 2.11 kills per set.

In the backcourt, senior libero Savanah Kahakai leads the way with 3.98 digs per set. Sophomore setter Norene Iosia (2.78) and Granato (2.54) also add more than two digs per set. Iosia also dishes out 10.12 assists per set and has served up a team-leading 34 aces.

 

LIU BROOKLYN AT WASHINGTON

Common Opponents:

  • None

LIU BROOKLYN

How They Got Here: The Blackbirds (20-9) earned the  Northeast Conference’s automatic berth after finishing in a three-way tie for the regular season title at 11-3 and winning the league’s tournament championship. LIU finished the season on an eight-match win streak, including wins over Robert Morris and Central Connecticut State in the NEC Tournament.

NCAA History: LIU is making its second straight NCAA appearance and 11th overall. The Blackbirds advanced to the second round in 2005.

Stat Leaders: Backcourt defense has been LIU’s trademark in 2017. The Blackbirds rank 20th nationally in digs per set (17.69), while sophomore libero Natalia Rivera is 17th with 5.46 digs per set. Three other players average more than two digs per set: junior outsides Nina Petranovic (2.82) and Viktoria Fink (2.69) and sophomore defensive specialist Emily Magee (2.05).

Offensively, LIU looks to Fink (3.47 kills per set) and Petranovic (3.06) with assistance from redshirt sophomore outside Julia Azevedo (2.27) and sophomore middle Filippa Hansson (2.16). Hansson is hitting at a team-best .278 clip and putting up 0.89 blocks per set and serving up a team-high 32 aces, while sophomore middle Katharina Krepper leads the way at the net with 1.02 stuffs per stanza. The Blackbirds do have a strong service game with seven players posting double-digit ace tallies, including four with 20 or more.

The team is hitting just .192 and averaging 2.1 blocks per set, while foes average a .165 hitting effort.The Blackbirds run a 6-2 offense with sophomore Amanda Hubbard (7.14 assists per set) and freshman Piper Matsumoto (5.97) splitting the setting duties.

 

WASHINGTON

How They Got Here: The Huskies (24-7) earned an at-large berth after finishing tied for second in the Pac-12 at 14-6. Washington won eight of its last 10 matches, including a road win at Oregon.

NCAA History: Washington is making its 16th straight NCAA appearance and the 22nd in program history. The Huskies, which won the 2005 NCAA title and have made four Final Four appearances, advanced to the Elite Eight in 2016.

Stat Leaders: The Huskies excel on the block, ranking fifth nationally (3.05 per set), with freshman middle Lauren Sanders leading the way with 1.47 stuffs per set (15th nationally). Senior middle Marion Hazelwood (1.33) and  sophomore middle Avie Niece (1.07) also add more than a block per set.

With 181 aces to its credit, including 43 by senior libero Tia Scambray and 41 by senior outside Courtney Schwan, UW ranks 19th nationally. That it so say nothing of the team’s balanced offensive attack with four players averaging more than two kills per set, including the late emergence of sophomore outside Kara Bajema (3.25). Senior outside Carly DeHoog (2.89), Schwan (2.70) and senior outside Crissy Jones (2.08) round out the group. DeHoog is hitting at a .307 clip and adding 0.96 blocks per set.

Defensively, Scambray managed 3.91 digs per set, followed by Schwan (2.94) and sophomore defensive specialist Shayne McPherson (2.56).

The Huskies switched to a 5-1 offense in their second to last Pac-12 match, so opponents will have to prepare for both offensive formations. Senior Tanner Bailey has dished out 9.02 assists per set, while freshman Natalie Robinson (4.67) and senior Jade Finau (3.49) also are options.

 

PREDICTIONS:

Illinois def. Hawaii 3-2

  • This one could go either way, but it should be a real show with two talented offensive and blocking squads. The Illini are more battle tested with 19 matches against the RPI Top 50, while Hawaii has just eight. History is on Hawaii’s side, but we give Illinois the edge by a tiny margin.
  • Jordyn Poulter has proven she can run an efficient offense and may be the X-factor.

Washington defeats LIU Brooklyn 3-0

  • On its home court, this one could get ugly fast if Washington is clicking on all cylinders, especially from the service line.

Washington defeats Illinois 3-1

  • Illinois has battled through the rigorous Big Ten slate, but beating UW at home has proven tough, even for the likes of No. 3 overall seed Stanford.

 

NIVC First Round

  • Morgantown, West Virginia
  • Nov. 28

Temple and West Virginia each turned in hitting effort of better than .300 en route to opening round sweeps in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship on Tuesday.

The teams will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday with a spot in the Round of Eight on the line.

MATCH STATS

Key Stats: Temple dominated Campbell at the net with a .316 hitting efficiency and 13 blocks, including eight in Set 2, while holding the Camels to a -.044 hitting effort for the match. The Owls also bested Campbell 38-22 in kills and 6-3 in aces.

Key Players: Temple spread the ball around with five players notching five or more kills with junior middle blocker Iva Deak leading the way with 10 kills on an errorless 15 swings for a .667 hitting night. Freshman outside hitter Katerina Papazoglou (7), senior outside Izzy Rapacz (7), redshirt freshman outside Dana Westfield (6) and senior middle Janine Simmons (5) followed. Simmons put up a team-best six blocks, while Rapacz added five. Senior setter Kyra Coundourides served up three of the team’s six aces, while junior libero Mia Heirakuji led the team with 13 digs.

Freshman middle Hannah Schneggenburger paced Campbell with eight kills on a .385 hitting effort. Sophomore outside Allena Heath added five kills, but hit -.115 for the night. Only two hitters, Schneggenburger and junior middle Madison Linxwiler (.059), hit above .000 in the match. Senior libero Kayla Schanback managed a match-high 14 digs and two of the Camels’ three aces.

It Was Over When: After ending Set 2 on a 14-1 run, the Owls raced out to a 14-7 lead in the final stanza. Campbell rallied to within two at 15-13, but Temple held the Camels at bay, wrapping up the set with a 10-3 run. Three kills by Deak and a kill and a block by Westfield set up a final putaway by Carla Guennewig.

MATCH STATS

Key Stats: West Virginia outdid UMES .379 to .169 in hitting percentage, 53-25 in kills and 4-1 in aces, but were held without a block by the Hawks, which managed six stuffs. The Mountaineers hit .340 or better in all three sets and held UMES to a .036 effort in Set 3.

Key Players: Sophomore outside hitter Payton Caffrey registered a 17-kill, 17-dig double-double to lead the Mountaineers in both categories, while also serving up two of the team’s four aces. Sophomore right side Natania Levak posted 12 kills, while senior middle blocker Mia Swanegan and senior outside Morgan Montgomery added seven apiece. Senior libero Gianna Gotterba added 11 digs.

Junior outside Lucia Babic paced the Hawks with nine kills, while hitting at a .318 clip and adding six digs. Sophomore outside Iva Vujosevic was the only other player with more than three kills, tallying five putaways. Senior middle Mere Serea put up a team-best three blocks, while freshman libero Eva Valentova managed a team-high 10 digs.

It Was Over When: West Virginia broke away in Set 3 with a 4-0 run to stretch its lead to 14-7. UMES would get no closer than five the rest of the way. Levak turned in two kills and Caffrey added a kill and the final ace in a 5-0 run to close out the night.

“It’s the first time in 26 years since we’ve been in a postseason tournament,” West Virginia coach Reed Sunahara said. “I don’t think our players are familiar with this type of match, so they had some jitters tonight. We missed six serves, but we rebounded, and I thought they came out strong after that.”

With the regular season concluded and teams gearing up for the NCAA Tournament and NIVC, take a look inside the NCAA statistical rankings through Week 14.

Week 14 leaders for both team and individual categories are listed below. Check back each Tuesday throughout the season for a peek at the top of the leaderboards. We also will include an updated listing of triple doubles, which already stands at 28 players.

Eastern Illinois’ Taylor Smith  registered 10 triple doubles on the year, while a total of 32 players have achieved the feat thus far.

A look at the full statistical rankings is here.

 

Kills Per Set
Team – Northern Iowa (15.28)
Individual – Lindsey Ruddins, UC Santa Barbara (5.84)

 

Hitting Percentage
Team – Penn State (.347)
Individual – Haleigh Washington, Penn State (.515)

 

Points Per Set
Individual – Lindsey Ruddins, UC Santa Barbara (6.46)

 

Assists Per Set
Team – Florida Atlantic (14.40)
Individual – Ivone Martinez, Florida Atlantic (12.81)

 

Aces Per Set
Team – UMES (2.04)
Individual – Sien Gallop, Saint Louis (0.67)

 

Digs Per Set
Team – Valparaiso (20.03)
Individual – Kallie Seimet, Bowling Green (6.77)

 

Blocks Per Set
Team – VCU (3.27)
Individual – Rhamat Alhassan, Florida (1.80)

 

Opponent Hitting Percentage
Team – VCU (.126)

 

Triple Doubles
Taylor Smith, Eastern Illinois (10)
– 25 assists, 16 digs, 13 kills vs. Bradley, 8/26/17
– 19 assists, 10 digs, 10 kills vs. Niagara, 9/1/17
– 26 assists, 16 digs, 12 kills vs. Chicago State, 9/9/17
– 22 assists, 20 digs, 13 kills vs. UT Martin, 10/7/17
– 31 assists, 16 digs, 10 kills at Eastern Kentucky, 10/14/17
– 33 assists, 14 digs, 10 kills vs. Jacksonville State, 10/21/17
– 11 assists, 11 digs, 10 kills at SIUE, 11/1/17
– 20 assists, 10 digs, 12 kills at UT Martin, 11/10/17
– 25 assists, 18 digs, 17 kills at Southeast Missouri State, 11/11/17
– 19 assists, 14 digs, 10 kills vs. Murray State, 11/17/17

Julymar Otero, Towson (6)
– 24 assists, 13 kills, 11 digs vs. Northeastern, 10/1/17
– 22 assists, 12 digs, 12 kills at UNC Wilmington, 10/8/17
– 28 assists, 14 digs, 12 kills at James Madison, 10/15/17
– 15 assists, 13 digs, 10 kills vs. Elon, 10/20/17
– 28 assists, 18 digs, 12 kills vs. UNC Wilmington, 11/4/17
– 27 assists, 14 digs, 15 kills vs. James Madison, 11/6/17

Mason Rooney, Davidson (5)
– 23 assists, 14 digs, 20 kills vs. UNC Wilmington, 8/27/17
– 22 assists, 12 digs, 10 kills vs. Georgia, 9/8/17
– 26 assists, 13 digs, 10 kills vs. LaSalle, 10/6/17
– 18 assists, 11 digs, 10 kills at George Mason, 10/13/17
– 34 assists, 11 digs, 14 kills at LaSalle, 11/5/17

Madison Haake, USC Upstate (5)
– 21 assists, 17 kills, 15 digs at Wake Forest, 9/9/17
– 20 assists, 13 kills, 13 digs vs. William & Mary, 9/9/17
– 31 assists, 20 digs, 11 kills vs. Jacksonville, 9/29/17
– 35 assists, 14 digs, 14 kills at Presbyterian, 10/18/17
– 31 assists, 17 digs, 11 kills vs. FGCU, 11/5/17

Cassie Knutson, Eastern Kentucky (5)
– 23 assists, 11 digs, 11 kills vs. Tennessee Tech, 9/29/17
– 25 assists, 10 digs, 16 kills at UT Martin, 10/20/17
– 19 assists, 10 digs, 10 kills vs. Belmont, 10/27/17
– 22 assists, 10 digs, 11 kills vs. Tennessee State, 10/28/17
– 21 assists, 15 digs, 16 kills vs. Belmont, 11/16/17

Andie Shelton, Pacific (4)
– 23 assists, 20 digs, 11 kills at Portland, 9/21/17
– 33 assists, 14 digs, 11 kills at Gonzaga, 9/23/17
– 15 kills, 12 digs, 13 kills at Santa Clara, 10/19/17
– 32 assists, 12 digs, 10 kills vs. Saint Mary’s (CA), 11/11/17

Holly Carlton, North Carolina (4)
– 25 assists, 10 digs, 10 kills vs. Coastal Carolina, 9/16/17
– 18 assists, 11 digs, 13 kills vs. Duke, 10/6/17
– 21 assists, 12 digs, 10 kills at Louisville, 11/19/17
– 22 assists, 13 digs, 10 blocks at Wake Forest, 11/22/17

Jenna Kuehn, Gonzaga (3)
– 23 assists, 10 digs, 15 kills at Saint Mary’s (CA), 9/21/17
– 20 assists, 14 digs, 11 kills vs. Pepperdine, 10/5/17
– 16 assists, 15 digs, 10 kills vs. Santa Clara, 10/28/17

Jordan Jones, Morehead State (2)
– 21 assists, 13 digs, 11 kills vs. Middle Tennessee, 9/9/17
– 25 assists, 16 kills, 12 digs at Saint Francis (PA), 9/16/17

Brianne Burkert, Florida State (2)
– 32 assists, 20 digs, 12 kills at Notre Dame, 10/1/17
– 46 assists, 10 digs, 10 kills vs. N.C. State, 10/29/17

Sydney Griffin, North Dakota (2)
– 42 assists, 19 digs, 10 blocks at Sacramento State, 10/5/17
– 56 assists, 11 digs, 12 kills at Sacramento State, 11/18/17

Makayla Ferguson, Butler  – 46 assists, 14 digs, 10 kills vs. Oakland, 8/25/17

Kylie Pickrell, NC State – 47 assists, 19 digs, 13 kills vs. Missouri State, 8/26/17

Morgan Miller, Oklahoma – 17 assists, 15 digs, 12 kills vs. Seton Hall, 8/25/17

Molly Feldmeth, Florida International – 46 assists, 15 digs, 10 kills vs. IUPUI, 8/26/17

Jordan Lentz, Oakland – 31 assists, 16 digs, 10 kills at Ohio State, 9/2/17

Kylee McLaughlin, Oregon State – 49 assists, 10 blocks, 11 digs at Portland, 9/2/17

Abby Detering, Penn State – 23 assists, 11 kills, 10 digs vs. Stanford, 9/1/17

Camille Conner, Texas A&M – 43 assists, 12 digs, 12 kills vs. Penn State, 9/2/17

Carinne Turner,  North Florida – 35 assists, 11 kills, 10 digs vs. Northwestern State, 9/16/17

Rachel Woody, Eastern Kentucky – 21 assists, 11 digs, 10 kills at Belmont, 9/23/17

Gina Kilner, Cleveland State – 46 assists, 14 digs, 10 kills vs. IUPUI, 9/29/17

Edie Brewer, North Carolina A&T – 25 assists, 11 digs, 13 kills vs. Gardner-Webb, 10/3/17

Heidi Dyer, Pepperdine – 21 assists, 20 digs, 12 kills vs. Santa Clara, 10/14/17

Madison O’Brien, Houston Baptist – 46 assists, 13 digs, 11 kills vs. Abilene Christian, 10/14/17

Kristyn Nicholson, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi – 60 assists, 13 digs, 10 kills at Sam Houston State, 10/21/17

Kate Gibson, Ole Miss – 18 kills, 14 digs, 11 blocks vs. Arkansas, 10/29/17

Justin Bowers, Tulane  – 49 assists, 12 digs, 12 kills vs. Tulsa, 11/3/17

Brittany Jessen, South Dakota  – 46 assists, 15 digs, 10 kills vs. Fort Wayne, 11/17/17

Brianna Rasmusson, North Dakota State  – 36 assists, 12 digs, 10 kills vs. Omaha, 11/17/17

Piper Matsumoto, LIU Brooklyn  – 55 assists, 15 digs, 10 kills vs. Central Connecticut State, 11/18/17

Lydia Dimke, Creighton – 53 assists, 14 digs, 10 kills vs. Marquette, 11/25/17

The final week of the regular season brought some great performances, but this week’s player of the week had some standout showings against ranked opponents.

USC sophomore outside hitter Khalia Lanier averaged 5.71 kills per set, while hitting .281 and adding 3.29 digs per set and four blocks against No. 22 Oregon and No. 19 UCLA. The Scottsdale, Arizona, native registered 13 kills, 11 digs and four blocks at Oregon. She then notched career-high 27 kills in 3-0 loss to Bruins on Saturday en route to Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honors.

 

Honorable Mention

Emily Thorson, Tulsa – Jr., OH
Averaged 5.43 kills and 4.29 digs per set to go with 0.86 blocks per set in pair of matches vs. SMU; tallied 20 kills, 13 digs, 4 blocks and went 30-of-32 on serve receive vs. SMU on Wednesday; recorded 18 kills, 17 digs, 2 blocks, and was a perfect 13-for-13 on serve receive at SMU on Friday; made good on 96 percent of serve reception chances

Leah Edmond, Kentucky – So., OH
Averaged 6.50 kills per set and hit .423 to close out the regular season; her 21 kills over three sets at Arkansas on Wednesday was a UK three-set record, also hit .452 in the win; helped Kentucky clinch a share of the SEC Championship with 15 kills, 11 digs and two blocks, her sixth double-double of the season on Friday at Georgia; SEC Offensive Player of the Week

Nika Markovic, Pittsburgh – So., RS
Averaged 5.0 kills and 2.5 digs per set while hitting .403 in wins over Virginia and Virginia Tech en route to the ACC co-championship; downed 20 kills, while hitting .419 and adding six digs vs. Virginia Tech; posted double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs to go with three blocks against Virginia. ACC Player of the Week

Abbie Lehman, Wichita State – Sr.,  MB,
Averaged 4.50 kills, 1.50 blocks and 5.33 points per set, while hitting .711 in two sweeps of Memphis; notched a match-high 16 kills and five blocks, while hitting .696 on Wednesday; posted a match-high 11 kills and four blocks and hit .733 on Friday, while becoming the Shocker career leader in block assists.

Ashley Dusek, Kentucky – Sr., L 
Averaged 7.00 digs per set in wins at Arkansas and Georgia; did not commit a reception error in either match, and posted 20 or more digs in each; also chipped in eight assists, helping the team hit .348 over the week; notched 22 digs and four assists vs. Arkansas; tallied 20 digs and four assists vs. Georgia; SEC Defensive Player of the Week

 

Other Notables

Kristina Fisher, UCF – Fr., OH
Averaged 4.83 kills per set while hitting .417 in two wins over USF; downed 15 kills and hit .371 on Wednesday; added 14 kills and hit .480 on Saturday; American Offensive Player of the Week

Danielle Cuttino, Purdue – Sr., MB
Average 4.9 kills and 1.3 blocks per set, while hitting .365 vs. Michigan (L 3-1) and Michigan State (W 3-1); 17 kills, while hitting .282 with 6 blocks and two digs vs. Michigan; 22 kills, hitting .457 with four blocks and a dig vs. MSU

Melanie McHenry, Louisville – So., OH
Averaged 4.00 kills and 2.67 digs per set in wins over Boston College (3-1) and Syracuse (3-2) en route to the ACC title; had her eighth and ninth double-double of the season and led Louisville in kills in both matches; notched 16 kills, 12 digs and two blocks, while hitting .260 vs. BC; downed 20 kills, 12 digs, four blocks, while hitting .153 vs. Syracuse; had the winning kill in three of the six sets Louisville won.

Zana Muno, UCLA – Jr., L
Averaged 5.33 digs per set in sweeps of Oregon State and USC; pulled up 21 digs vs. OSU and notched 1,000th career dig; added 11 digs vs. USC; Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week

Taryn Knuth, Florida State – Fr., MB
Averaged 3.16 blocks and 2.00 kills per set in sweeps over Clemson and Georgia Tech; tallied 12 total kills on a .258 hitting percentage, along with 19 total blocks; put up 13 blocks to go with four kills against Clemson; added eight kills and six blocks, while hitting .400 against Georgia Tech.

With the start of the NCAA Tournament, there are 30 matches involving VolleyMob Top 25 teams and vote getters. One is a head to head battle between Top 25 teams, two others involve a vote-getter and a ranked team and two more feature a pair of vote getters.

Friday’s slate gets started with No. 15 Michigan State facing No. 24 Missouri State at 5 p.m. ET in Omaha. Vote getter Marquette is set to take on No. 18 Wisconsin at 5 p.m. ET in Ames, Iowa, while No. 25 Michigan will play vote-getter Colorado State at 7:30 p.m. ET in Palo Alto, California.

Vote-getters VCU will battle Pittsburgh at 5 p.m. in University Park, Pennsylvania, while Louisville and Northern Iowa are slated for a 5:30 p.m. start in Minneapolis.

Nov. 30 6:30 p.m. High Point #16 Purdue
7 p.m. Alabama State #2 Florida
9 p.m. Cleveland State #13 Utah
Dec. 1 5 p.m. #15 Michigan State #24 Missouri State
5 p.m. Marquette (RV) #18 Wisconsin
5 p.m. Notre Dame Western Kentucky (RV)
5:30 p.m. Oregon State (RV) N.C. State
5:30 p.m. Louisville (RV) Northern Iowa (RV)
5:30 p.m. James Madison #23 Colorado
6 p.m. VCU (RV) Pittsburgh (RV)
6 p.m. Kennesaw State Oregon (RV)
7 p.m. Missouri #20 Kansas
7:30 p.m. Howard #1 Penn State
7:30 p.m. #25 Michigan Colorado State (RV)
7:30 p.m. East Tennessee State #6 Kentucky
8 p.m. Coastal Carolina #10 Creighton
8 p.m. Hawaii Illinois (RV)
8 p.m. Princeton #19 Iowa State
8 p.m. Fairfield #4 Texas
8 p.m. North Dakota #8 Minnesota
8 p.m. LSU #14 San Diego
8 p.m. Stony Brook #5 Nebraska
8 p.m. Miami (Ohio) #11 Baylor
8:30 p.m. Denver #21 Cal Poly
9 p.m. Radford #22 Wichita State
9 p.m. American #9 BYU
10 p.m. CSU Bakersfield #3 Stanford
10 p.m. Central Arkansas #12 USC
10:30 p.m. LIU Brooklyn #7 Washington
11 p.m. Austin Peay #17 UCLA

There is no question that the No. 1 overall seed in the bracket, Penn State, is the odds on favorite to win the 2017 NCAA title, a record eighth in program history, but there are a handful of teams in the upper left quadrant of the bracket that might have a say in that.

TEAM TO BEAT: PENN STATE

They have been No. 1 in the AVCA Coaches Poll and VolleyMob Top 25 for seven weeks running and finished the Big Ten as co-champions at 19-1. They lead the nation in hitting percentage (.347) and boast the nation’s most efficient hitter in senior middle blocker Haleigh Washington, Player of the Year candidate. Washington also ranks 12th nationally in blocks per set with 1.50, leading the team to a 3.03 blocks per set tally, seventh most in the nation.

Add in senior middle Simone Lee, who is racking up 4.50 point per set (44th nationally) and 3.93 kills per set (52nd nationally) and a 6-2 offense that runs on all cyclinders and it is easy to see why this Penn State squad is primed to win the region and battle for another national title.

The Nittany Lions have just one black spot on an otherwise perfect record, a Sept. 22 loss to then No. 14 Nebraska, who went on to be a Top 10 team nationally.

 

THE OTHER SEEDS: WASHINGTON, CREIGHTON, WICHITA STATE

Washington earned the No. 8 overall seed by finishing second in the Pac-12 Conference at 14-6 behind league leader Stanford. The Huskies excel on the block, ranking fifth nationally (3.05 per set), with freshman middle Lauren Sanders leading the way with 1.47 stuffs per set. With 181 aces to its scredit, including 43 by senior libero Tia Scambray and 41 by senior libero Courtney Schwan, UW ranks 19th nationally. That it so say nothing of the team’s balanced offensive attack with four players averaging more than two kills per set, including the late emergence of sophomore outside Kara Bajema. The Huskies, which won eight of their last 10, also have a few tricks up their sleeves, having switched to a 5-1 offense in their second to last Pac-12 match, so opponents will have to prepare for both offensive formations.

Creighton went 25-6, with two losses coming during the non-conference season as the team was without starting setter and 2016 Big East Player of the Year Lydia Dimke due to injury. All but one of the team’s losses came to fellow NCAA teams. The lone exception, a sweep at the hands of Villanova on Nov. 17 after the Bluejays had already clinched the Big East title and No. 1 seed in the league tournament. Dimke is a key cog in the Creighton machine, whether dishing out assists (10.78 per set), serving up aces (26), racking up digs (2.58 per set), downing kills of her own (1.41 per set) or stuffing balls at the net (0.70 per set). She also has the Bluejay offense clicking at a .281 clip, which ranks 15th nationally, and has four offensive options registering more than two kills per set.

Wichita State ran the table in its first season in the American Athletic Conference with a perfect 20-0 mark, including 16 sweeps. The Shockers faced seven NCAA teams during non-conference action, registering wins over Creighton, East Tennessee State, Marquette and Miami (Ohio). Senior middle Abbie Lehman, the school’s all-time block assists leader, paces the team offensively with 3.68 kills per set on a .446 hitting effort to go with her 1.38 blocks per set average. Lehman is far from the team’s only option, however, as junior outside Tabitha Brown (3.58) and senior outside Mikaela Raudsepp (2.77) are right behind and each hits at a .240 or better clip. As a team, the Shockers rank in the nation’s top 10 in kills per set (7th, 14.69), opponent hitting percentage (7th, .145), assists per set (7th, 13.81) and hitting percentage (9th, .301).

 

ON A COLLISION COURSE

Although the Nittany Lions could be tested by Wichita State in the Sweet 16, the Shockers lack of day-in-day out overtly physical play, which is par for the course in the Big Ten, should put Penn State firmly in the Elite Eight. Washington is the odds on favorite in the bottom of the bracket, but it could be a bumpy road with plenty of teams seeking to prove they belong dotting the way. A second round matchup with a feisty Illinois team or a potential Sweet 16 match with a red-hot Missouri State squad or even possibly a Michigan State squad that faded a bit down the stretch, could be pitfalls, en route to the anticipated No. 1 vs. No. 8 matchup.

Should Penn State survive the tests of the University Park region, a Final Four matchup with Nebraska could be on the horizon, although be sure that Russ Rose will have his squad focused on one match at a time after premature exits in the Sweet 16 the past two years.

Nebraska’s biggest challenge could come in either BYU or Kentucky in the Elite Eight, but the draw of playing in front of a near home crowd in Kansas City, should help the Huskers power through. The all-Big Ten Final Four matchup would offer Penn State a chance to avenge its lone loss of the season against the co-Big Ten champs.

 

BRACKET BUSTERS: KANSAS, MICHIGAN STATE, MISSOURI STATE

Kansas faltered in its Big 12 finale and will be out for blood against former Big 12 foe Missouri in the opening round. The Jayhawks are also more than familiar with what has been happening down the road in Wichita and will be ready for the Shockers should the opportunity arise. Kansas came out of nowhere in 2015 with a Final Four run and despite some ups and downs, with the offensive firepower of senior right side Kelsie Payne and senior outside Madison Rigdon and guidance of senior setter Ainise Havili, the Jayhawks could be a threat in this region.

Michigan State can’t be overlooked in the lower half of the bracket. The Spartans have been looming in the Top 15 throughout the season and four of the team’s eight losses came at the hands of Penn State and Nebraska. A couple of stumbles in the final stretch, a sweep at the hands of instate foe Michigan and a four-set loss to Purdue in Week 14, should have the Spartans sufficiently fired up for the tournament, especially with a roster including seven seniors looking to go out with a bang. A balanced offense and strong service game could keep MSU in the regional race.

If Missouri State has its way, the Spartans will be out in the first round in one of just four opening round matches featuring two teams either ranked or receiving votes in the VolleyMob Top 25. The Missouri Valley Conference did not offer many tests and the team lost all five of its matches against ranked teams in non-conference play. It is hard to look past the Bears’ 21 match win streak, however, and star player Lily Johnson, who was the Missouri Valley Player of the Year and a two-time VolleyMob Player of the Week honoree. Johnson is among the steadiest players nationally with 4.59 kills and 3.96 digs per set to go with 40 aces and a .259 hitting percentage.

 

TOUGHEST FIRST/SECOND ROUND POD: OMAHA (D.J. Sokol Arena)

In addition to the opening round barnburner between Missouri Valley champs Missouri State and Michigan State, host Creighton will face off with Sun Belt champs Coastal Carolina, which enters the NCAAs on a 14-match win streak. Granted, the Chanticleers were 74th in RPI, but there is something to be said for momentum.

 

TOP FIRST ROUND MATCHES:

  1. Michigan State vs. Missouri State
  2. VCU vs. Pittsburgh
  3. Kansas vs. Missouri
  4. Illinois vs. Hawaii
  5. Creighton vs. Coastal Carolina

There was no movement among the Top 9 spots in the November 27 AVCA Poll, the last listing before the NCAA Tournament and the penultimate poll of the season. A final poll will be released after the NCAA Tournament on December 18.

Penn State earned all 64 first place votes in holding down the No. 1 spot for the seventh straight week. Texas, Florida, Stanford and Nebraska rounded out the Top 5.

The biggest mover was Kansas, which dropped from 14 to 19 due to a five-set loss to unranked West Virginia in the regular season finale.

Four teams climbed two spots: No. 10 Washington (from 12), No. 13 Utah (from 15), No. 15 Creighton (from 17) and No. 17 UCLA (from 19).

UCLA toppled then No. 13 USC in the teams’ Pac-12 finale on Saturday.

Purdue remained at No. 16 despite falling to unranked Michigan, due in part to a rebound victory over then No. 10 Michigan State. The Spartans fell two spots to No. 12 with the loss.

Rank School (First-Place Votes) Total Points Adjusted 2017 Record Previous Week
1 Penn State (64) 1600 29-1 1
2 Texas 1490 24-2 2
3 Florida 1473 25-1 3
4 Stanford 1425 26-3 4
5 Nebraska 1357 26-4 5
6 Kentucky 1285 26-3 6
7 BYU 1179 28-2 7
8 Minnesota 1126 26-5 8
9 San Diego 1046 24-4 9
10 Washington 992 24-7 12
11 Wisconsin 918 20-9 11
12 Michigan State 888 21-8 10
13 Utah 735 22-9 15
14 Southern California 714 22-9 13
15 Creighton 635 25-6 17
16 Purdue 625 22-9 16
17 UCLA 588 19-10 19
18 Baylor 534 23-6 18
19 Kansas 521 22-7 14
20 Wichita State 428 28-3 20
21 Cal Poly 361 26-2 21
22 Iowa State 262 21-6 22
23 Colorado State 191 28-3 23
24 Oregon 133 17-11 24
25 Missouri State 87 28-5 25

Others receiving votes and listed on two or more ballots: Michigan 58; Colorado 56; Western Kentucky 23; Illinois 21; VCU 21; Louisville 12; Oregon State 11; Pittsburgh 5

The final week of the regular season was not without its surprises as teams jockeyed for postseason positioning and two conference tournament titles were decided.

Vote getter Michigan completed a season sweep of No. 17 Purdue in the second of back-to-back meetings on Wednesday. The Boilermakers bounced back, however, with an upset of No. 11 Michigan State on Friday to end the regular season on a positive note.

Saturday brought two more surprise results as No. 15 Kansas dropped its Big 12 finale to West Virginia in five sets and No. 19 UCLA toppled No. 12 USC in a sweep.

Date Winner Loser Results
Nov. 21 #10 BYU Loyola Marymount 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-16)
#14 San Diego Pepperdine 3-1 (15-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-22)
Nov. 22 #24 Wichita State Memphis 3-0 (25-18, 25-10, 25-15)
#19 UCLA Oregon State (RV) 3-0 (31-29, 25-17, 25-19)
#12 USC #22 Oregon 3-1 (25-19, 25-16, 19-25, 25-17)
#21 Colorado California 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-19)
#2 Florida Auburn 3-1 (22-25, 25-10, 25-16, 25-22)
#8 Washington Arizona 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-17)
Michigan (RV) #17 Purdue 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 30-28, 25-20)
Louisville (RV) Boston College 3-1 (25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20)
#4 Texas Oklahoma 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-21)
#6 Kentucky Arkansas 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-23)
#5 Nebraska Northwestern 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-21)
Illinois (RV) Iowa 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-12)
#3 Stanford #16 Utah 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-17)
Nov. 24 Louisville (RV) Syracuse 3-2 (25-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-15, 15-12)
#13 Creighton Villanova 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-19)
#24 Wichita State Memphis 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-11)
Marquette (RV) Butler 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-17, 25-20)
Pittsburgh (RV) Virginia Tech 3-0 (25-22, 26-24, 27-25)
#25 Missouri State Indiana State 3-0 (26-24, 25-15, 25-16)
#17 Purdue #11 Michigan State 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-21)
Northern Iowa (RV) Illinois State 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-22, 25-15)
#1 Penn State #18 Wisconsin 3-1 (18-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-20)
#7 Minnesota Rutgers 3-0 (25-18, 25-8, 25-16)
#6 Kentucky Georgia 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-15)
#22 Oregon Oregon State (RV) 3-2 (25-22, 16-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-9)
#16 Utah #21 Colorado 3-1 (13-25, 25-19, 25-23, 26-24)
#8 Washington Washington State 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-14)
Nov. 25 West Virginia #15 Kansas 3-2 (20-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-22, 15-12)
Colorado State (RV) UC Davis 3-1 (25-18, 25-18, 27-29, 25-18)
#2 Florida Missouri 3-1 (23-25, 29-27, 25-15, 25-23)
#4 Texas #9 Baylor 3-1 (27-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-19)
#20 Iowa State Texas Tech 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-15)
Pittsburgh (RV) Virginia 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-19)
#11 Michigan State Indiana 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23)
#1 Penn State #7 Minnesota 3-1 (29-27, 25-20, 24-26, 25-20)
Illinois (RV) Ohio State 3-2 (17-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13)
#18 Wisconsin Rutgers 3-0 (25-15, 25-8, 25-13)
#5 Nebraska Iowa 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-23)
#3 Stanford California 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-17)
#19 UCLA #12 USC 3-0 (25-18, 28-26, 26-24)
#13 Creighton Marquette (RV) 3-2 (22-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-17, 15-11)
#25 Missouri State Northern Iowa (RV) 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-22)

The bracket has been announced. The reaction videos and photos are there to see. Now let’s take a quick look at the 64-team field.

Conference breakdown

  • Pac-12: 9 – Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington, Washington State
  • Big Ten: 8 – Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin
  • ACC: 6 – Florida State, Louisville, Miami (Fla.), N.C. State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh
  • Big 12: 4 – Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas
  • SEC: 4 – Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Missouri
  • Big East: 2 – Creighton, Marquette
  • Big West: 2 – Cal Poly, Hawai’i
  • West Coast Conference: 2 – BYU, San Diego
  • Missouri Valley: 2 – Missouri State, Northern Iowa
  • Colonial: 2 – College of Charleston, James Madison

Twenty-two conference will be represented by just one team.

 

Series Regulars

Two schools have cemented themselves as mainstays in the NCAA Tournament: Penn State and Stanford. The two schools have made all 37 NCAA fields.

Penn State was selected as the No. 1 overall seed, while Stanford was picked as No. 3 overall.

Each is seeking its record eighth national title.

 

Looking to Add to the Trophy Case

Eight previous NCAA Champions are among the 2017 field.

  • Hawaii (1982, 1983, 1987)
  • Nebraska (1995, 2000, 2006, 2015)
  • Penn State (1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014)
  • Stanford (1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2016)
  • Texas (1988, 2012)
  • UCLA (1984, 1990, 1991, 2011)
  • USC (1981, 2002, 2003)
  • Washington (2005)

 

They’re Back

VCU is making its first appearance since 2005 after winning the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament title.

Newbies

Kennesaw State and Stony Brook are making their NCAA debuts.

KSU, which won the Atlantic Sun regular season and tournament titles, is heading to its first berth after an emotional journey.

Stony Brook earned its spot with a pair of upsets at the America East Tournament, becoming the first No. 4 seed to win the affair. Check back Tuesday to learn more about the Seawolves journey to NCAAs.

 

Host Teams/Sites

Five Pac 12 teams will act as host schools (Stanford, USC, UCLA, Utah, Washington), while three from the Big Ten (Minnesota, Nebraska, Penn State) are among the 16 seeded teams.

The 16 sites for first and second round matches are:

  • Ames, Iowa – host No. 14 Iowa State
  • Austin, Texas – host No. 11 Texas
  • Gainesville, Florida – host No. 2 Florida
  • Lexington, Kentucky – host No. 4 Kentucky
  • Lincoln, Nebraska – host No. 5 Nebraska
  • Los Angeles, California – host No. 10 USC
  • Los Angeles, California – host No. 15 UCLA
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota – host No. 7 Minnesota
  • Omaha, Nebraska – host No. 9 Creighton
  • Palo Alto, California – host No. 3 Stanford
  • Provo, Utah – host No. 13 BYU
  • Salt Lake City, Utah – host No. 11 Utah
  • Seattle, Washington – host No. 8 Washington
  • University Park, Pennsylvania – host No. 1 Penn State
  • Waco, Texas – host No. 12 Baylor
  • Wichita, Kansas – host No. 16 Wichita State

Now try your hand at predicting the outcomes in VolleyMob’s Bracket Challenge.

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