The NCAA volleyball season is about to enter a different stage, one that promises much more exciting matches for the fans. The regular season ended in November, and Pittsburgh concluded it at the top of the AVCA rankings with a record of 29-1. Nebraska Huskers were not far behind with a record of 28-2, while Louisville finished third with a 25-5 record. The fans will really be satisfied with the way that the regular season ended for them.

However, teams have advanced to a different stage of the competition. The stage is now the NCAA Division I tournament. This is a knockout competition. The four rounds are played out to come up with the best. They include the first round, the second round, the regional, and the semis. The two teams that will survive all these will make it to the final, which will take place on December 22 in Louisville. The early rounds, however, may leave some thrilling matches to go with the best teams that fans will have fun watching.

NCAA Volleyball Matchup 1: Pitt vs SMU

The first thrilling match that the fans can possibly get to watch in the NCAA Division I Tournament is Pitt versus the SMU Mustangs. These two teams played each other for the very first time this season on September 10th. The game was such a shocker since Pittsburgh, whose record was 15-0, was expected to easily win the game. However, in the process, SMU went one step further by sweeping them and not losing a single set against them.

Though Pittsburgh managed to get their revenge on their home turf three days later by defeating them 3-2, SMU is the only team that has beaten them during the league stage. Thus, if Pittsburgh were to get an opportunity for revenge by knocking them out, they would certainly avail of it with their arms open wide. Both can indeed make it to the semi-finals if they both come clean in all rounds leading there. But if such a battle were to come along, then it would indeed be thronged with much action, as the team that emerged victorious would then proceed into the NCAA final, where they would contest for the championship.

NCAA Volleyball Matchup 2: Nebraska vs Wisconsin

There may be an exciting matchup between the Nebraska Huskers and the Wisconsin Badgers in the next game for the NCAA tournament. The two teams played each other twice in the regular season, and Nebraska had both of those matches pretty well in hand, sweeping the Badgers. This could be different, however. The recent 3-1 loss for Husker against Penn State may have given their future opponents a template to take them on.

The team, which otherwise seemed untouchable, now might really have a problem with the pressure from the Wisconsin Badgers. Conversely, this defeat by Penn State may also just be seen as a small glitch in the Husker’s title ambitions, as they did beat Maryland the next day. In any case, this promises to be a very interesting matchup. The two teams can cross paths at the regionals, which is in the fourth round. This should be what fans look out for.

NCAA Volleyball Matchup 3: Louisville vs Stanford

Another game that might pop up during the encounter between Louisville and Stanford is their first-time meeting in September, when they totally swept the opponent 3-0 but met in the last game of the regular season. Stanford got its revenge then, winning 3-1, thus setting an interesting storyline for this matchup. The teams may face each other in the regionals. It could be a very interesting game, as both of them would love to assert dominance over the others.

Thus, many scheduled and potential matches are promised under the NCAA Division I tournament. The tournament is to begin its hunt to find the new champion of the tournament beginning December 5th, hopefully giving the fans worth their money.