The NCAA Volleyball Sweet 16 has arrived, and fans nationwide are gearing up for a thrilling slate of matches. With top-ranked teams, powerhouse programs, and emerging contenders vying for a spot in the Elite 8, the regional round promises high stakes and unforgettable action.
Overview of the Sweet 16
The Sweet 16 represents the best of NCAA women’s volleyball. Teams advance through the opening rounds to reach the regional stage, and each match now takes on even greater importance as winners move closer to securing a place in the national championship. The round showcases a mix of perennial powerhouses and surprising underdogs, making it one of the most anticipated stages of the tournament.
Hosted by the No. 1 seeds (Pitt, Nebraska, Penn State and Louisville), each four-team mini-tournament will send one squad to next Thursday’s national semifinals in Louisville.
Regional Matchups to Watch
The Pitt and Louisville Regionals will start the Sweet 16 action on Thursday when the Panthers host No. 7 Missouri, No. 3 Kentucky and No. 4 Oregon. Louisville helms the evening party, which includes No. 2 Stanford, No. 4 Purdue and No. 6 Florida.
The Big Ten courts will host Friday’s Regional semifinals. Penn State will host No. 2 Creighton, No. 3 Texas and No. 5 Marquette, while Nebraska will welcome No. 2 Wisconsin, No. 5 Dayton and No. 6 Texas A&M to Cornhusker country.
Capping the weekend’s first matches is a battle of experience against this year’s Cinderella squad. In their 40th Sweet 16 appearance, Nebraska will take on Dayton, who outlasted No. 4 Baylor. The Flyers boast the fifth-best defense in the country and they’ll need it for the Huskers’ 43-match home win streak.
How to Watch
No. 2 Creighton vs. No. 3 Texas will kick off Friday’s slate at 1 p.m. ET before Saturday and Sunday, each featuring a pair of regional finals.
The full schedule will stream live on ESPN+, with ESPN2 also airing all matches through Saturday.
Sunday’s games received a broadcast bump, with the Nebraska Regional final airing at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and the Penn State-hosted finale taking the 8:30 p.m. ET slot on ESPN.
The Sweet 16 highlights the athleticism and skill of collegiate volleyball and exemplifies the spirit of competition. The stage is set for unforgettable moments with every serve, spike and block. As the tournament continues, fans and teams alike hold their breath for the drama and excitement that only the NCAA Sweet 16 can deliver.
