NCAA Volleyball Final Four

[Dale8R]

Thursday, December 14 National Semifinals

Nebraska Cornhuskers (31-1) vs. UCLA Bruins (33-3)
6 p.m. (Live on ESPN2)

Stanford Cardinal (29-3) vs. Washington Huskies (29-4)
8:30 p.m. (Live on ESPNU) Replay on ESPN2 at 1 p.m. Friday

Saturday, December 16 National Championship Match
8 p.m. (Live on ESPN2)

Remember the home page at Huskers.com http://huskers.com/fls/100/ncaa2006/welcome.htm?KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=100&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT
which includes this link to the Semifinals preview http://huskers.com/fls/100/ncaa2006/dec13_preview.htm

[Dale8R]

UCLA the clear winner in game one, 30-23. Don't forget that the Huskers gave up the first two games before coming to life in their last match.
*************
Nebraska battles back to take game two 30-28. Pet peeve. Announcer says in reaction to a violation by UCLA, "How can you call THAT on game point?" The answer is simple, a violation is a violation. Game point makes no difference. I have never seen it in the rules that you ignore net fouls in VB or traveling in BB just because the game is on the line.
*************
Nebraska cruises in game three 30-23 to go up two to one.

[Bball Girl]

Huskers now up 2-1, leading 9-6 in the 3rd.

Am listening to the Tech game and watching vball :)

[Bball Girl]

Way to go HUSKERS!!!

[Dale8R]

Yep. Nebraska led virtually all the way in the fourth game up as many as six or so, but UCLA fought back and even held a brief lead. Final 30-28.

Next matchup is Stanford-Washington. They traded home 3-0 shutouts this season, so on the neutral floor ~~ ???????????

[BeBe]

Man am I bummed. For some reason I thought the semifinals was tomorrow night!!!!!!! Do you know if the NU vs UCLA match will be replayed at all?

[Bball Girl]

ESPN doesn't usually replay games...do they?

The last game was excellent - quite a chess match. I'm looking forward to Saturday night!

[MsProudSooner]

They said the Stanford/Washington game will be replayed tomorrow (I think). Perhaps the Nebraska/UCLA game will be, too.

[Dale8R]

Stanford REALLY took it to Washington 30-12, 30-25, 30-15. This season, it was apparent early on that Washington was not playing at the level of last year's team, but I did expect them to make it to the title match. I certainly did not expect a blowout of that proportion.

Stanford looks to be a power for years to come. Among next year's recruits is Alix Klineman, 6'5" MB from Mira Costa HS in Manhattan Beach, CA who is regarded as the finest prospect in US volleyball this season, perhaps ever.

[Dale8R]

The screaming's just started
BY BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON / Lincoln Journal Star
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2006/12/15/huskerextra/doc458223a50b6d9473187798.txt follow the links to many, many more stories

Nebraska rallies, runs to title game
Volleyball team will play Stanford for the NCAA championship after defeating UCLA.
By MECHELLE VOEPEL / The Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/colleges/16243626.htm

Stanford sweeps UW
By Jack Hamann / Seattle Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003478771_uwhamann15.html

Rabid Nebraska fans ahead of curve
By Jack Hamann / Seattle Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskies/2003478502_nebraska15.html

"Girls grow up in Nebraska idolizing their favorite Huskers volleyball players, treating them like rock stars," writes World-Herald reporter Henry J. Cordes. "It's a fan base that has embraced the elegantly violent women's sport at all levels, helping turn Nebraska into one of the nation's hotbeds for college volleyball talent."

[BearLady]

Dale, thanks to your keeping us updated on the VB action with your links, I decided to watch the Nebraska/UCLA match last night.

Now that was some match. And I couldn't help but say to myself that VB is sure nothing like I remember it 30 years or so ago. ;) I couldn't help but also be hugely impressed with the Nebraska fans and the facility where the match was held. I'm not used to seeing middle agers get so involved in a VB match nor see the rubber-surface (or whatever material) floor.

I was further surprised when one of the pbp people was talking about how huge VB is in the state of Nebraska and then went on to recount the various media activities the coach has: a weekly radio program, tv show, etc. And then she also said there were 80 club programs around the state.

Boy, have times changed! Maybe I need to broaden my horizons. :eek:

Thanks again for keeping us updated on the volleyball action.

[Bball Girl]

I worked at University of Nebraska at Omaha - a DII school. Volleyball was a very big thing....we won the DII National Championship one of the years I was there.
Volleyball was very big in the high schools too. It was great fun to go to game because people were so into the games and very supportive.

[ChipperF1]

That was one of best stories I ever covered. The year before UNO Volleyball was ranked 11th in the polls but missed the regional tournament by one spot. Those kids put their heart and soul into a year of work and ended up as champs.

I'll never forget that night in Warrensburg or the fans waiting for them when they returned to UNO the next day.

That was a team that was talented, smart, tough and special...The year before, Nebraska won the Division I title, I've always wondered how a game between those two teams would have went. That UNO team was good enough to compete with them.

Tonight will be special.. and I hope the lasses just block out the pressure and play ball. I've characterized John Cook as "John Choke", that is a mistake on my part and somewhat unfair. He's a good coach, but I think the team at times gets overwhelmed by the pressure and the coach takes a hit for that.

This time around I think the key components have learned the hard lesson. Sarah Pavan is awesome, but now she's picking up the idea that leadership is more than numbers. Dani Mancuso's really stepped up, too. Everybody came in with a purpose that you didn't see as evident last season.

However, John Dunning and Stanford can again be the Grinch that spoils this pre-Christmas. The Cardinal seem to have a whammie on us. We've never beaten them in postseason play, but tonight can be the first time.

Win or Lose, I'm proud of my hometown. A lot of people in California and Hawaii were skeptical about Omaha in December. But 17,000 fans later, its become Rosenblatt Indoors. While you wouldn't get 17,000 if Nebraska wasn't there, I think you still get a higher turnout than just about anywhere else because when it comes to this sort of event, midwestern hospitality shine through.

Chipper's Prediction: It will not be easy. The key for Nebraska is to have the mindset that this will be a marathon. If things go wrong early, stay with it. We didn't do that last year, panicked and Washington ran us into the ground. This year, we come focused to execute. Don't lean on the power game so much. Dig and pass, play smart and when you get the opportunities, don't hesistate to kill. If they block it, just recover and set up again. John Dunning is counting on a Nebraska team that trades on brutish power. But this Nebraska team can also do the finesse things, and if we execute those things they way we have most of the year its puts the opponent in a position of dealing with a team that can play any style and beat you with it.

Nebraska def. Stanford 29-31, 31-26, 33-31, 29-31, 19-17

[Dale8R]

Huskers are right at home
By MECHELLE VOEPEL / The Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/16253017.htm

Pavan Named National Player of the Year
http://nebraska.scout.com/2/601296.html

John Mabry: Huskers know what love is
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2006/12/16/huskerextra/editorial/doc458385b9da0e5430167053.txt
Great story here, our high school team does something similar, but I think we'll borrow it all next season. As always, check the links at the bottom of the page for more stories from the Journal Star.

Red-Letter Day
http://www.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/stories/121406aap.html
We shouldn't forget Christina Houghtelling.

Volleyball team works to prevent communication breakdowns
BY TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2006/12/11/huskerextra/doc455e83eb8f257462605526.txt
I love this story, though it is an old one. That's exactly the way it is.

17,013 at the semi-finals. Tonight's crowd is expected to top that.

[Bball Girl]

That was one of best stories I ever covered. The year before UNO Volleyball was ranked 11th in the polls but missed the regional tournament by one spot. Those kids put their heart and soul into a year of work and ended up as champs.

I'll never forget that night in Warrensburg or the fans waiting for them when they returned to UNO the next day.

That was a team that was talented, smart, tough and special...The year before, Nebraska won the Division I title, I've always wondered how a game between those two teams would have went. That UNO team was good enough to compete with them.



You've got an amazing memory Chipper! It was very cool to be on campus that year and to watch that team mature and play their hearts out and reap the reward. Still one of my best campus memories.

I saw part of the Stanford/UW game...the Huskers have to come out strong and stay focused.

Go Huskers!

[Dale8R]

The ONE to watch
Senior Libero Dani Busboom

http://www.journalstar.com/content/gallery/gallery_1/album_319/midsize_photo45821056dbaa5359080765.jpg

http://www.journalstar.com/content/gallery/gallery_1/album_319/midsize_photo45820e20b2699847282460.jpg
She'll be the one who looks like she brought the wrong uniform to the match. She'll also be the one who seems to be right where the ball is hit a large part of the time. She gets my pre-match vote as the one who will make the difference.

[LadyBuff]

I hope to remember to watch this match tonight. I had the pleasure of attending the CU-Nebraska volleyball match this season and you all know what happened then. Nebraska had far more talent and far more fans in the stands, but we won the match. I was totally amazed that there was a bus trip from somewhere in Nebraska for that match.

I will be rooting for NU. Then CU will be the only blemish on a perfect season for the National Champions.

[BeBe]

Lady Buff, I like that thought!

I was planning on watching the match and rooting for our Big 12 sisters anyway but that idea makes it even sweeter.

[Dale8R]

Hmmm. Stanford 30-27 a typical Nebraska start in game one. A couple of momentum swings, but the big swings came from the Tree.

[Dale8R]

Even up. Nebraska wins #2 30-26. After an early 7-2 Husker lead, the Cardinal came back to take a few brief leads, but Nebraska was pretty much in control throughout. Larson and Pavan 11 kills each, Larson and Busboom 10 digs each.

[Jimi]

Great atmosphere!

[Dale8R]

Right on that, Jimi. Wouldn't you just love to be there in that 17K plus crowd?

In another game with big momentum swings, Nebraska takes the 2-1 lead with a come from behind 30-28. They were down 27-24. Jordan Larson is hitting a ton. 17 kills, NO errors in 39 swings. Dani Busboom up to 15 digs. Oh, yeah, and two assists for the former setter.

By the way, it is a good thing there are newspapers. The announcers certainly know how to read. Some of the stuff they have come up with came straight out of articles I have read. I suppose that is a point in their favor though. Some we know but won't name don't do that much homework.

[Jimi]

:NU: Wins!!!

Wow What a match. Stanford put up a first class effort.

[Dale8R]

Whhoooo! Big WIN! And let's give the assist to Colorado, OK?

30-27 after losing nearly all of a 27-20 lead. 22 kills for Pavan, 19 for Jordan, including the game winner. Dani Busboom with 21digs, making 50 for the finals.

[Jimi]

And yes you bet I wish I was there Dale8R.

[Dale8R]

Pavan and Jordan were both +17 in 45 swings for .378, Jordan had three less kills and three less errors. Waller was the only Cardinal close to that with a +13.

The Nebraska athletic department will host a championship celebration on Sunday, Dec. 17 at the NU Coliseum at 11 a.m. All seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and parking for the event is free. Doors open at 10 a.m., while concessions and national championship apparrel will be available. For those fans not able to attend, the program will be available via webcast Sunday evening free of charge on Huskers.com.

[MsProudSooner]

She'll be the one who looks like she brought the wrong uniform to the match.

I had to laugh out loud when I read this. My niece was the libero on the OU volleyball team 2 or 3 years ago. I think it was the first year the NCAA started using the libero. I went to a multi-team preseason scrimmage they had and no one had told me about the different uniform color for the libero. I was sure that she had brought the wrong shirt until they played another team and everyone changed shirts and she still had the wrong colored shirt on!

[LadyBuff]

Congratulations, Nebraska! And we're the only blemish on your record. That was some match last night and some match when we managed to beat you.;)

[Bball Girl]

Congratulations Huskers!

Great win and great fun to watch.

[LadyBuff]

Whhoooo! Big WIN! And let's give the assist to Colorado, OK?



We will take that assist. I still don't know how we beat Nebraska that night. Nebraska is definitely the best team in the country, but as they say, on any given night... It was our night.

Again, congratulations :NU:

[Dale8R]

All good things come to an end, but somehow I think the Huskers are already gearing up for next season. They lose only the two Dani's , Busboom and Mancuso, losses that will be offset by the return of Christina Houghtelling, NCAA player of the year in 2005 who sat out the season while rehabbing an injury. If you think about it, that means a pat hand except for filling Busboom's libero spot.

First, the Voepel reports
Huskers capture third championship
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/16263418.htm

Huskers don't disappoint hometown faithful
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/story?columnist=voepel_mechelle&id=2700799

A Big Red day for volleyball
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/16263486.htm

And from John Mabry
Gates lives championship moment Amanda's turn to help save the day
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2006/12/18/huskerextra/editorial/doc4584d281765d9251779409.txt

Colorado duo comes through A pre-championship column, a nod to the two Colorado starters, Tracy Stalls and Rachel Holloway
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2006/12/18/huskerextra/editorial/doc4582326d05c79507349202.txt

Volleyball team has rules for the road An even older column, but fun to read
Just make sure the eggs are real, the water bottles are full, Busboom’s feet are protected, Gates has a nice salad at dinner, Cook’s room is away from the vending machines, and everything will be fine.
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2006/12/18/huskerextra/editorial/doc45778e059fa11766726573.txt

Huskers know what love is And a repeat of my favorite watchwords for volleyball success
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2006/12/18/huskerextra/editorial/doc458385b9da0e5430167053.txt

Thanks for reading.