Volleyball to Host NCAA Matches
November 28, 2004 | Volleyball
The University of Wisconsin has been selected to host first and second-round matches of the 2004 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship. The Badgers, who are seeded 14th in the tournament, will host Loyola (Ill.), Notre Dame and Valparaiso in the UW Field House this weekend.
In the first round, Notre Dame (20-8) will take on Valparaiso (29-4) on Friday at 5 p.m. while Wisconsin (19-9) will take on Loyola (21-8) at 7 p.m. First-round winners will meet in the second-round match on Saturday at 7 p.m. The second-round winner will advance to the NCAA Regional in Green Bay, Wis., on Dec. 10-11.
'We knew we had a good RPI ranking later in the year here but (we) were concerned that our loss at Purdue might take us out of chance of hosting, ' said UW Coach Pete Waite. 'So that's a great surprise for everybody ' the players, the fans ' everyone is excited to be here at home.'
Wisconsin is making its 13th overall and ninth consecutive appearance in the Big Dance. The Badgers are 20-12 in the tournament. In 2003, the Badgers defeated Arizona, 3-1, in the first round before falling at Texas A&M, 0-3, in the second round. Wisconsin has not played at home in the tournament since 2002 when it defeated Alabama A&M in the first round, 3-0, but was upset by Miami (Fla.), 1-3, in the second round.
'I think we just earned the right to host it this year and that says a lot for what the players have done especially for such a young group; the players really earned that chance to host this year,' said Waite. 'I know the team's excited. For them to be here at home, it's great for a young team because the road gets long at the end of a long Big Ten season and to be back here, gives them a new life.'
The Big Ten Conference landed seven teams in the tournament with Penn State receiving the No. 2 seed in the championship. Minnesota and Ohio State are seeded fourth and fifth, respectively. Also receiving bids were Illinois, Michigan and Purdue.
'Seven teams is a lot for any conference,' said Waite. 'It says a lot for the strength of the conference. My hope is that playing those strong teams prepares us for the NCAA tournament this weekend.'
