Meet The 2017 Final Four: Florida, Nebraska, Penn State, Stanford

After two jam packed weekends of play, the last four teams in the nation are left standing in NCAA Tournament play.

Three of the four have a strong recent history in the Final Four, while one is making its first appearance in nearly 15 years.

The Final Four, in order that they punched their tickets to Kansas City, are: Nebraska, Florida, Penn State and Stanford.

Each of the last four national champions are represented in the group: Stanford (2016), Nebraska (2015) and Penn State (2013 and 2014).

Stanford and Penn State are each seeking the record eighth title in program history. Nebraska is vying for its fifth title, while Florida is in search of its first national crown.

In terms of Final Four appearances, Stanford boasts the most in the 37 year history of the NCAA Tournament with 21. Nebraska will be playing in its 14th Final Four, while Penn State is set for its 13th. Florida is making its eight Final Four appearance.

Here’s a quick look at each team and how they got the national semifinal stage.

FLORIDA (28-1)

Final Four History

• The Gators are playing in their eighth Final Four and first since their national runner-up finish in 2003.
• The Gators were the No. 2 overall seed in the 2017 NCAA Tournament and played at home in Gainesville throughout the sub-regional and regional rounds.

How They Got Here

• Florida swept Alabama State and bested Miami (Fla.) in four sets to advance to the Sweet 16 and earn the right to continue hosting the regional rounds.
• In the regional rounds, the Gators topped No. 15 seed UCLA in four sets and rallied from down 9-5 in Set 5 to best No. 10 USC in the Elite Eight.
• Florida enters the Final Four on a 15-match win streak. The Gators lone loss of the season came on Oct. 15 against regional finalist Kentucky.

Up Next

• Florida will face Stanford at 9 p.m. Thursday on ESPN.

That Final Four Feeling

(?: @stamey) pic.twitter.com/zOyC7DMdHQ

— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB) December 10, 2017

NEBRASKA (29-4)

Final Four History

• The Huskers are playing in their 14th Final Four and third straight, including a national title in 2015.

How They Got Here

• The Huskers were the No. 5 overall seed in the 2017 NCAA Tournament and swept its way to the Elite Eight.
• Nebraska bested Stony Brook and Washington State 3-0 at home in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the first two rounds.
• In the regional rounds, the Huskers headed to Lexington, Kentucky, where they swept Colorado before besting the home-standing No. 4 seed Kentucky Wildcats in four sets.
• Nebraska enters the Final Four on a 17-match win streak. The Huskers last loss came on Oct. 11 vs. regional semifinalist Wisconsin.

Up Next

• Nebraska will face Penn State at 7 p.m. Thursday on ESPN.
• The Huskers handed Penn State its lone loss of the season in the Big Ten opener, Sept. 22, via sweep.

Any day, any time, any place. We'll be there #WithEachOtherForEachOther!

The #Huskers are going to the FINAL FOUR for the third straight year‼️#GBR #WhyNotUs ?? pic.twitter.com/mRlOkpF6x1

— Husker Volleyball (@Huskervball) December 9, 2017

PENN STATE (32-1)

Final Four History

• The Nittany Lions are playing in their 13th Final Four, including seven national titles and three runner-up finishes, and first since winning the national champion in 2014.

How They Got Here

• The Nittany Lions were the No. 1 overall seed in the 2017 NCAA Tournament and played at home in University Park, Pennsylvania, throughout the sub-regional and regional rounds.
• Penn State topped Howard and Pittsburgh in the first two rounds.
• In the regional rounds, the Nittany Lions swept Missouri and Michigan State.
• The Nittany Lions are the lone Final Four team that did not face another seeded team during its run to the national semifinals.

Up Next

• The Nittany Lions face Big Ten co-champion Nebraska at 7 p.m. Thursday.
• Penn State will look to avenge its lone loss of the season, which came to the Huskers in the conference opener, Sept. 22.

We're going to Kansas City! Penn State takes down Michigan State in three sets to make 13th NCAA Semifinal Appearance. https://t.co/qHfGC85RTT pic.twitter.com/ZsOFy8pKe0

— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) December 10, 2017

STANFORD (29-3)

Final Four History

• The Cardinal are making their 21st Final Four appearance, including seven national titles and eight runner-up finishes.
• The Cardinal are the reigning NCAA champions.

How They Got Here

• The Cardinal were the No. 3 overall seed in the 2017 NCAA Tournament and played at home in Palo Alto, California, through the sub-regional and regional rounds.
• Stanford swept Cal State Bakersfield and Colorado State in the first two rounds.
• In the regional rounds, the Cardinal moved past Wisconsin in four sets and then swept No. 6 seed Texas in the Elite Eight.
• Stanford enters the final four on an eight-match win streak. The Cardinal’s lone Pac-12 loss came on Nov. 8 at Washington.

Up Next

• Stanford will face Florida at 9 p.m. Thursday on ESPN.

This is the program's 21st Final Four appearance, the most in the nation, and the first back-to-back appearance since Stanford made the Final Four three straight times from 2006-2008.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/Ibmy0c4Nlw

— Stanford Women's Volleyball (@StanfordWVB) December 10, 2017