For the first time since 2002, three WAC teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Rice and Nevada join the No. 3 seed Hawai`i in the 2004 NCAA Volleyball Championship. The Rainbow Wahine, the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, will travel to Fort Collins, Colo., and take on the University of Colorado in the first round. Nevada will face Wichita State in Lincoln, Neb. Rice will stay instate and face Michigan in Austin, Texas.
This is the Owls first NCAA appearance since joining the WAC. Rice won the WAC's Eastern Division and head into the NCAA Tournament with a 25-4 record. Nevada (21-9) is making its fourth appearance in the NCAA Tournament also advancing in 1998, 2001 and 2002.
Hawai`i advanced to the Final Four last season and are making their 24th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. For only the second time in school history, the Rainbow Wahine enter postseason undefeated (28-0).
December 3-4 at Nebraska Wichita State (24-5) vs. Nevada (21-9)
Iona (19-15) vs. Nebraska (27-1)
December 2-3 at Colorado State Colorado (14-13) vs. Hawaii (28-0)
Purdue (16-14) vs. Colorado State (26-3)
December 3-4 at Texas Rice (25-4) vs. Michigan (19-12)
Texas State (27-5) vs. Texas (24-4)
NCAA Tournament Bracket