College Volleyball Final Four

Story & Photo by Isabelle Flood – Social Media Editor

   The 2024 NCAA Women’s College Volleyball Tournament is coming to a close with the National Semifinals on December 19 and the Championship match on December 22. The tournament has had plenty of upsets, but it was no shock that the four teams left are all number-one seeds. Pittsburgh and Louisville will play first at 5:30 P.M. on Thursday, leaving many fans excited for this match-up we have seen time and time again. 

   “I can’t wait for the Pitt and Louisville match. I expected them to go to five sets the first time they played but I think Louisville has regrouped and could beat Pitt,” Ava Lane, sophomore, said. 

   Pitt and Louisville are just some of the teams that have already played each other during the regular season. Nebraska and Penn State will follow that match, giving Nebraska a chance for redemption against the Nittany Lions after they gave Nebraska their second loss on the season. Nebraska lost in four sets, but claiming after that they were not focused and did not play their best.

   “Nebraska and Penn will be a great game but I don’t see Nebraska losing to them again. Especially with their response to the loss and how they have been playing in the tournament,” Lane said.

   Post-season is typically when teams will start to peak and play the best game they can. Teams like Kentucky, Mizzou, Stanford, and Creighton were peaking at the right time but just couldn’t get to the national matches. 

   “Mizzou surprised me this year. I did not expect them to upset SMU, and I definitely did not expect them to beat them in four sets,” Lane said. 

   Most are predicting a championship match between Pitt and Nebraska, but all teams in the semifinals are very talented and competitive contenders, and anything can happen.