Volleyball Makes Seventh Consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearance
December 01, 2002 | Volleyball
The Wisconsin volleyball team will host first and second round matches of the 2002 NCAA Division I Championship on Friday and Saturday in the UW Field House. The Badgers (23-8 overall) take on Alabama A&M (24-7) on Friday at 7 p.m. Miami (Fla.) (25-5) will take on Duke (24-9) in the other first-round match on Friday at 5 p.m. The winners of Friday night's matches will play in the second round on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Wisconsin is making its seventh consecutive and 11th overall appearance in the `Big Dance.' In 2001, the Badgers swept UW-Milwaukee and Michigan State at home in the first and second rounds, respectively. Wisconsin advanced to the NCAA regional semifinals where it lost to Texas A&M, 0-3, in Palo Alto, Calif.
'We have to take these first matches seriously,' said UW coach Pete Waite, who has coached the Badgers to four NCAA tournament appearances. 'We know they're some strong teams and they're excited to be in the tournament just like we are.'
Alabama A&M is making its third straight NCAA tournament appearance. The Bulldogs received one of 31 automatic NCAA bids after winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference for the third straight year. Alabama A&M is led by sophomore Princess Dixson. The 5-8 setter was named the most valuable player of the SWAC tournament.
Wisconsin has hosted first or second round matches eight times before. In 2002, the Badgers rank third in the nation with an average attendance of 3,643 per match.
'I think it's huge,' said Waite, when asked if the UW's attendance figured into the NCAA committee's decision to give Wisconsin the opportunity to host. 'I know the NCAA wants the tournament played in front of a lot of fans and there are some programs that aren't as lucky as we are to have so many people coming out. So whether they get to be televised games or just getting fans in the stands, I'm sure that helps us out.'
A three-match ticket package is $12 for a reserved seat; $10 for general admission; and $6 for senior citizens/UW students/youth. (NCAA rules prohibit the selling of single-match tickets until the day of the event.) Tickets for the first and second round matches will be on sale beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday at the UW Athletic Ticket Office, 601 W. Dayton St.; online at UWBADGERS.COM or via phone at 1-800-GO BADGERS.
