Quarterfinals

Let's get this party started

“Volleyballs with arms and legs climbing a mountain. At the top of the mountain is a shiny golden trophy.” The mountain is a metaphor. (Google Gemini)

Yesterday, I put out a round-by-round projection for the entire tournament. If you missed that, check it out.

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Today we are going to take a look at the semifinal matches that will be taking place today. It is a full day of volleyball with four matches being played in the same location. Buckle up and get your computer ready to watch, unless you are in Long Beach and get to watch in person.

All games will be available exclusively on NCAA.com (link below). Personally, this doesn’t feel like a broadcast avenue that will continue to grow the sport, but they didn’t ask me. Also, I can’t afford to have all the matches on ESPN.

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Quarterfinal Matchups

#1 UCLA (99%) vs #8 Fort Valley State (1%)

The Bruins are the heavy favorites to advance to the semifinals. Not only are they the defending champions (and championships apparently come in twos), but they are atop the VBelo rankings entering the tournament.

This will be the third all-time meeting of these two teams and the second this season. UCLA swept the Wildcats in both previous matches.

Here is where the two teams stand, in terms of national rankings and stats.

#4 UC Irvine (39%) vs #5 Penn State (61%)

In the quarterfinals, this is the only match that VBelo favors the lower seed. Penn State is a strong overall team with all of the pieces to upset the higher seed. On the overside of the net will be the team that leads the country in kills per set.

For UC Irvine, Hiilir Henno will need to be in top form to help the Anteaters reach the semifinals. For the Nittany Lions, they have one of (if not the) most underrated players in the country: Libero Ryan Merk. I won’t be surprised if he ends up on the all-tournament team.

This will be the first meeting of these teams this season and the 15th overall. The Anteaters hold the edge 8-6 but the Lions have the most recent win last season.

This one could really go either way and I think it will be the match of the day. Mark your schedule for 4:30 PM Eastern/ 1:30 PM Pacific/ 10:30 AM Hawaii.

#3 Grand Canyon (63%) vs #6 Ohio State (37%)

Grand Canyon is looking to make a habit of making it to the national tournament. A year after the first trip in program history, they are back as the #3 seed. They look to be the favorite against a very good Ohio State team, but you can never count out the Buckeyes. This should be a fun offensive matchup that will be worth watching to end the day.

The all-time series is heavily weighted in favor of Ohio State. The Buckeyes are 16-3 against the Antelopes. That being said, the last time they met, backing 2023, Grand Canyon won 3-2 on a neutral court. Could we be in for another late-set thriller?

#2 Long Beach (92%) vs #7 Belmont Abbey (8%)

Host Long Beach will take on the Conference Carolinas champion Belmont Abbey in the 2/7 matchup. The Beach is the heavy favorite, coming into the match with the best record in the country. Belmont Abbey has had an amazing season and will look to play the underdog against the “home” team.

This will be the first meeting between these two teams. This will be the second all-time match in the national tournament for Belmont Abbey.

What do you think of these projections? Who do you have moving on to the semifinals? Who is the most underrated team in the tournament?

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Match Projections

NCAA Quarterfinals

#1 UCLA (99%) vs #8 Fort Valley State (1%)

#4 UC Irvine (39%) vs #5 Penn State (61%)

#3 Grand Canyon (63%) vs #6 Ohio State (37%)

#2 Long Beach (92%) vs #7 Belmont Abbey (8%)