The tournament to win the coveted and prestigious D1 volleyball championship is here! 64 teams from across the country have been selected to compete in the tournament, with top contenders being the University of Nebraska (a fan favorite due to their incredibly talented roster), University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and many others.
With so many teams, the set up for a tournament like this can seem complicated. 31 conference champions earned automatic bids into the tournament. Nebraska won the Big Ten, solidifying their spot in the tournament. Thirty-three other teams were selected by the NCAA D1 women’s volleyball committee as at-large picks (Baylor, BYU, Colorado, etc.) Each match can go to five sets, where the first four sets are first to twenty-five, and the fifth is first to fifteen. This tournament is single-elimination, putting pressure on all teams to bring their A-game every time they step on the court! If you haven’t been following this past season, there have been many upsets, wins, and reverse sweeps (meaning one team has won the first two sets out of five, but the opposing team comes storming back to win the next three), making for an unpredictable yet awesome season. As of right now, the first round has concluded, with the second round starting on December 5th and continuing through the weekend. The championship match will take place on Sunday, December 21st, in Kansas City, Missouri, on ESPN, so mark your calendars!
Before diving into top contenders, the last several winners of the tournament have been Penn State (2024), University of Texas (2022 and 2023), and Wisconsin (2021). However, the most iconic team ever to play in this tournament is Penn State from 2007 to 2010. They won four back-to-back championships, going undefeated two of the four years and having a 109-game win streak. They are the only team in NCAA history to do this!
Fast forward to 2025, the top contender for the championship is the University of Nebraska, whose balanced and explosive roster powered them to a perfect 30-0 regular season. Outside hitter Harper Murray (position four) leads as the primary attacker, while Andi Jackson (position three) balances a quick offense with strong net defense. In the back row, Laney Choboy (position five) anchors serve-receive and defense, and setter Bergen Reilly (position one) runs the offense as the team’s on court decision maker. Another major contender is the University of Kentucky, led by standout outside hitters Brooklyn Deleye and Eva Hudson, both extremely decorated with awards like Player of the Year and First Team honors! Molly Tuozzo runs Kentucky’s defense as the libero, who won the rare distinction of SEC tournament MVP. With their powerful hitters and reliable defensive capabilities, Kentucky is one of the most dangerous teams.
With so many programs, there are many diverse approaches to games, with coaches either focusing on a fast offense or heavy blocking (reaching above the net to intercept/deflect an opponent’s attack). A fast offense means overwhelming a team’s defense, giving them as little time as possible to react, and creating unpredictability for the opponent, forcing them to think harder about where the ball is going. These factors increase a team’s efficiency and allow them to dictate the game’s speed. Nebraska volleyball is a perfect example of a fast offense. When they play, opposing blockers are often just trying to keep up, allowing for players like Harper Murray to completely crush the ball with almost no problems. On the other hand, heavy blocking teams limit a hitter’s range, making the defender’s job much easier: establish a physical presence at the net and boost a team’s morale. The Louisville Cardinals are currently number one in the nation for total blocks with 361.5, with top blockers like Cara Cresse, who is ranked nationally. The Cardinals well-formed block intimidates opponents and forces errors or easy shots.
Outside of the technical side of the game, volleyball’s growth has been explosive due to increased media coverage, programs, and love for the sport. The 2025 tournament is sure to be a good one, with talented teams continuing to fight for a spot in the final match. Be sure to tune in for history because whether it’s a powerhouse like Nebraska or a dark horse on a hot streak, one thing is for sure: this tournament will deliver volleyball at the highest level.