NU Returns to Lincoln For NCAA Regional Competition

Lincoln, Neb. -- After spending the first weekend of competition in the NCAA Division I Volleyball Tournament on the road, the Nebraska volleyball team will return to Lincoln for the NCAA Regional this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13 at the NU Coliseum. The Huskers (28-4), seeded ninth overall in the tournament, will play host to eighth-seeded UCLA (23-8) at 7 p.m. Friday in the day's second regional semifinal match.

The first regional semifinal match will begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday and will pit top-seeded USC (31-0) against Texas A&M (23-9), the No. 16 seed. The winners of the regional semifinal contests will advance to Saturday's 7 p.m. regional final match to play for a spot in the 2003 NCAA semifinals in Dallas Dec. 18-20.

Nebraska is one of four pre-determined regional sites this year. The remaining three teams in the NCAA semifinals will advance from regionals at Florida, Hawaii and Long Beach State.

Nebraska has traditionally had great success in the postseason and owns a 56-19 (.747) all-time NCAA Tournament record. The Huskers, which rank third nationally in NCAA Tournament wins and winning percentage, went 11-4 against teams in this year's tournament. NU is led by sophomore middle blocker Melissa Elmer and sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Saleaumua, who were both named first-team All-Big 12. Head Coach John Cook is 15-2 in the NCAA Tournament at Nebraska, and owns a 124-8 mark at the helm of the Huskers.

The defending NCAA champion, USC captured the 2003 Pacific-10 Conference title with a 18-0 record, earned the national No. 1 seed for the second year in a row. The Women of Troy are led by five 2003 All-Pac-10 first team selections, including Pac-10 Player of the Year and four-time first-team all-conference pick April Ross, a senior outside hitter. USC is coached by Mick Haley, who owns a 609-142 career record at the Division I level and an 87-5 mark in three seasons with the Women of Troy. Haley served as the U.S. National Team coach in the 2000 Sidney Olympics.

UCLA The Bruins, who are participating in their 22nd NCAA Tournament, have won three NCAA titles (1984, 1990, 1991) under legendary coach Andy Banachowski, who is in his 37th season on the bench. In September 2001, Banachowski became the first collegiate women's volleyball coach to record 900 career wins. Seven Bruins, including five juniors, earned All-Pac-10 honors in 2003. Junior outside hitter Chrissie Zartman is a two-time first-team all-conference selection.

Texas A&M, which finished the season tied for third in the Big 12 standings, is making its 11th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament and its 15th overall appearance. Last year, A&M advanced to the NCAA second round before being eliminated by No. 1 seed and eventual national champion USC. The Aggies feature middle blocker/outside hitter Melissa Munsch, a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection. A&M head coach Lori Corbelli owns a 259-94 record in her 11th season. Nebraska is 2-0 vs. Texas A&M this season.

NCAA Regional at Lincoln, Neb., Schedule (All times Central)
Friday, Dec. 12
4:30 p.m., Regional Semifinal: #16 Texas A&M (23-9) vs. #1 USC (31-0)
7 p.m., Regional Semifinal: #8 Nebraska (28-4) vs. #9 UCLA (23-8)

Saturday, Dec. 13 (TV: TBA)
7 p.m., Winner of Regional Semifinal #1 vs. Winner of Regional Semifinal #2