NORCECA Olympic Qualifying To Be Held in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. - USA Volleyball has been selected to host the NORCECA Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament, which will be held Jan. 7-9, 2016, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The U.S., ranked No. 1 in the world and reigning world champions, will host the four-team round robin with No. 7 Dominican Republic, No. 15 Puerto Rico and No. 16 Canada. The tournament winner will earn NORCECA’s berth into the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Former Huskers Kayla Banwarth, Jordan Larson-Burbach and Kelsey Robinson have been members of the U.S. women's team throughout 2015.

“We are thrilled to hear that Lincoln will host our zone Olympic qualifier,” U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “It’s truly an honor and a privilege - and a phenomenal opportunity - to play on an American court, in front of thousands of USA fans, with these four teams battling for a ticket to the Rio Olympics. We can’t wait to get back there, after getting to play - and win - the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals in Nebraska just a few months ago.”

The U.S. will face Canada on Jan. 7, followed by Puerto Rico on Jan. 8 and Dominican Republic on Jan. 9. All three USA matches will be played at 7 p.m. CT, while the non-USA match will be contested at 5 p.m. CT. The schedule needs final approval through NORCECA.

Prices for all-session reserved tickets range from $21-$81 dollars plus applicable taxes, while day session reserved seat prices range from $10-$30 dollars plus applicable taxes. Students, military and senior citizens can receive a $3 discount on day session tickets only.

Tickets will go on sale Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. CT and will be available through Ticket Master and Pinnacle Bank Arena. USA Volleyball is partnering with the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau to produce the event.

Proposed NORCECA Olympic Qualification Schedule (needs final NORCECA approval)
Jan. 7
Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico, 5 p.m. CT
USA vs. Canada, 7 p.m. CT

Jan. 8
Canada vs. Dominican Republic, 5 p.m. CT
USA vs. Puerto Rico, 7 p.m. CT

Jan. 9
Canada vs. Puerto Rico, 5 p.m. CT
USA vs. Dominican Republic, 7 p.m. CT