Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications
The Nebraska volleyball team was selected as the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night and will have an opportunity to play four matches at the Bob Devaney Sports Center to try and advance to this year’s final four in Columbus, Ohio.
The defending national champion Huskers, making their 35th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, will open the tournament on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. against the New Hampshire Wildcats (21-10), champions of the America East Conference. The 4:30 p.m. match will feature the Wichita State Shockers (24-7) of the Missouri Valley Conference and the TCU Horned Frogs (14-12) of the Big 12 Conference. Friday’s winners will meet on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.
Nebraska is the No. 1 overall seed for the first time since 2006. As one of the top four national seeds, the Huskers are in line to host a regional semifinal and final the following weekend should they advance. This year, regional hosts will be the top seed remaining in each section of the bracket. The other national seeds in the Huskers’ section of the bracket are No. 8 Washington, No. 9 Michigan State and No. 16 Penn State. The other top four national seeds are No. 2 Minnesota, No. 3 Wisconsin and No. 4 Texas.
Standing-room only tickets to the first and second rounds are for sale online at Huskers.com. If tickets are still available Monday morning, they can be purchased through the Nebraska Athletics Ticket Office at 800-8-BIGRED. All-session standing-room only tickets are $20. Should the Huskers advance to a regional for the 22nd time in 23 years, tickets would go on sale to the general public on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m.
The Huskers finished the regular season 27-2 overall and 18-2 in the Big Ten Conference to earn their second ever Big Ten championship. Nebraska is 98-30 (.766) in 34 previous NCAA Tournament appearances, ranking second among NCAA schools in wins and winning percentage.
The 2016 season marks the 32nd time that Lincoln has hosted NCAA first and second round competition. The 2016 Husker squad is looking to become the first Nebraska volleyball team to repeat as national champions, as the three previous NCAA title teams (1995, 2000, 2006) came up short of a repeat. This year’s NCAA Championship is set for December 15-17 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Eight Big Teams were selected to the 2016 field. Joining the Huskers are No. 2 Minnesota, No. 3 Wisconsin, No. 9 Michigan State, No. 12 Michigan, No. 16 Penn State, Ohio State and Purdue.
NCAA First and Second Round Schedule
First Round – Friday, Dec. 2
4:30 p.m. – TCU vs. Wichita State
7 p.m.* – New Hampshire vs. Nebraska
*or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the 4:30 p.m. match, but no sooner than 7 p.m.
Second Round – Saturday, Dec. 3
7 p.m. – First Round Winners