Penn State vs. Howard
Top seed Pennsylvania State Nittany Lions (30-1, Big Ten Conference) outplayed Howard Bison (16-16, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) by a 3-1 (25-10, 22-25, 25-15, 25-16) in First Round of the NCCA D1 Championship at home ground. Senior middle blocker Haleigh Washington topped Penn State with 16 points in the game that was played at the Rec Hall. The next challenge of the Nittany Lions will be with Pittsburgh Panthers (26-6, Atlantic Coast Conference), in Second Round face-off.
The defending champions and one of First Round hosts Stanford Cardinal (27-3, Pac-12 Conference) swept California State University Bakersfield Roadrunners (19-14, Western Athletic Conference) at Maples Pavilion – 25-11, 25-15, 25-17. Thus, No.3 Stanford preserved a home ground invincibility this season (12-0). A sophomore middle blocker Audriana Fitzmorris stood out on the winning side with 18 points (8 kill blocks!). Stanford will play Colorado State Rams (29-3, Mountain West Conference) in the next round.
There were no upsets in the opening round as all top 16 seeds moved to Second Round. Furthermore, two teams secured their berths in Third Round (Regional semifinals) – Florida and Utah!
Read more on Day 1 of First Round.
The home side, No. 2 Florida Gators (27-1, Southeastern Conference), beat Miami Hurricanes (22-6, Atlantic Coast Conference) in four sets, partially 25-14, 19-25, 25-11, 25-23, to earn the right to host Regional Semifinals as well. Shainah Joseph, the senior opposite hitter from Canada, highlighted the Gators with 24 points (5 kill blocks).
No.11 Utah Utes (24-9, Pac-12 Conference) qualified for the regionals for the first time since 2008 as they outclassed Purdue Boilermakers (23-10, Big Ten Conference) at the Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City. Senior outside hitter Adora Anae showed an outstanding display in the 4-set win (25-23, 25-19, 13-25, 27-25) of her team by notching 29 points.
See the BRACKET.
Check out more details on this year’s NCAA Women’s Volleyball D1 Championship.
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