Penn State wills itself to a third consecutive Championship.

Tampa - For those of you that saw the 5 set thriller between Penn State and Texas, congratulations you are witnesses to Women's Volleyball history in the making.
Penn State became the first team to win three straight volleyball titles Saturday night, overcoming a two-set deficit to beat Texas in five and extend its record winning streak to 102 straight games.

When Texas won the first two sets it looked like Penn State's incredible run was going to come to an end. After half time Penn State came out strong and was able to adjust their serve receive of Texas and generate their offense more efficiently.

Megan Hodge led the Nittany Lions (38-0) with 21 kills, including the final one that touched off a wild celebration at midcourt.

"They just won three national championships in a row," Penn State coach Russ Rose said. "Not a lot of people have done stuff like that. Our seniors just willed us to the win."

Penn State's 22-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-13 win helped it stake a claim as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, volleyball team in NCAA history. And maybe one of the best college teams ever.

The winning streak is second in Division I team sports behind the Miami men's tennis program's 137 straight victories from 1957-64.

The Nittany Lions led 22-19 in the first set and were on the brink of going ahead early. Then Texas called timeout, regrouped and rallied for six straight points to put Penn State behind, an unfamiliar position during most of its incredible run.

The Nittany Lions had only lost six sets this season entering the final match, although one of those came in the semifinals against Hawaii, before dropping the first two to Texas.

But Penn State regained its serving prowess and cruised through the next two sets and had only a few miscues in the final set before closing out the Longhorns.

Destinee Hooker had a game-high 34 kills for Texas (an NCAA Record in a finals match), which was trying to claim its first volleyball title since 1988.

Penn State hasn't lost since falling to Stanford in September 2007.

CLUB SEASON:

With the official end to the 2009 Womens Collegiate Season, we officially kick of the USAV Club season in South Florida after the Holidays.

NCAA Championship Match: Penn State vs. Texas

The NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship will be played in Tampa this Saturday at 8:00PM on ESPN2. We highly recommend that you make the time to watch the match with your daughters and focus on key players to see how the best play certain positions.

The Championship match places No.1 Penn State (37-0) vs. No. 2 Texas (29-1). These are clearly the best teams almost boasting perfection with a combined winning record of (66-1). Speaking of perfection, Penn State is on the longest winning streak in women's NCAA sports history at 101 consecutive matches.

Match Preview:

Both of these team are similarly matched with a great combination of size, athleticism, coaching and experience. Most experts are predicting that Penn State will win the match and it's third consecutive Championship. A Penn State victory in four sets is not unrealistic.

I almost sense an upset brewing in that Penn State is going for an unprecedented third consecutive championship and an unprecedented 102 consecutive victory. I'm not sure if they can overcome all that they have to deal with and overcome a talented Texas team. If they do win, please realize that you will be looking at something that might never happen again in women's collegiate sports.

University of Texas:

Senior All-America outside hitter Destinee Hooker has shined in postseason play, hammering out 5.50 kills, collecting 2.19 digs and 1.00 blocks per-set, while hitting .439 in five matches ... Texas is hitting .386 as a team in the tourney and has held opponents to a .169 attack mark ... junior middle blocker Jennifer Doris leads the team at the net with a club-best 17 total blocks ... senior All-America setter/opposite Ashley Engle is averaging 2.00 kills, 7.75 assists and 2.12 digs per-set in five matches.

Penn State University:

Players to keep an eye on: All American (MB)Megan Hodge is a future USA Olympian and the Senior leader and prominent striker on the team. Setter Alisha Glass is the nations leader in assists and is a team leader. TIDBIT: The no. 2 setter in the Nation is FIU's Natalia Valentine. Blair Brown 6'5" is a dominant right side that virtually stopped Hawaii's attach in the semi-finals. Look to see if Brown can slow down Hooker from Texas.

Stats from Penn State vs. Hawaii: Three Nittany Lions posted double-digit kills. Senior Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) led the squad with 12, while juniors Arielle Wilson (Broadview, Ill.) and Blair Brown (Purcellville, Va.) had 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Senior setter Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) dished out 41 helpers and attacked at a team-leading .692 with nine kills on 13 errorless swings.

Prediction: My fingers are crossed for Penn State, I would really enjoy seeing sports history but part of me says Penn State is facing so much, including a very talented and loose team.

Scenario 1 - If the match goes four or less sets: Penn State Wins

Scenario 2 - If the match goes to five sets: Texas Wins

SEE AN ESPN VIDEO PREVIEW OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

NCAA Final Four in Tampa

Yet another national volleyball event comes to Florida. The NCAA Women's Volleyball Final four and Championship come to Tampa, FL. December 18th and 19th respectfully.

This is a great opportunity to see the best collegiate teams and players in the sport. If your thinking of going to Tampa and seeing the event first hand please CLICK HERE for more Information.

If you are unable to see the matches in person, we highly recommend that you watch the games as a family and go over plays and positioning with your kids (players). What better model to follow than learning from the best.

This year the matches will be televised on ESPN2.

Thursday - December 17th, Match-Ups

Texas vs. Minnesota at 7:00P.M.

Preview: Two similar teams in size but Texas seems to be the more athletic of the two. Expect a strong attack from Texas.

Prediction: Texas wins in four.
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Penn State vs. Hawaii at 9:00P.M. or 1/2 hour after the first match.

Preview: Hawaii is a smaller athletic team much like that of FIU. Penn State has to much of everything, size, athleticism, experience and coaching.

Prediction: Penn State wins in three

Florida State University advances to the ELITE 8

In the State of Florida it is usually the University of Florida that goes the furthest in the NCAA tournament. Is 2009 a sign of things to come as Florida State defeats the University of Kentucky to advance to the ELITE 8.

The University of Florida had a tough time facing 2007 and 2008 NCAA CHampion as Penn State defeated Florida in three sets. Congratulations to the Lady Gators for yet another sweet 16 appearance in the Div I Tournament.

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - And the dream season continues.

The No. 12 Florida State volleyball defeated No. 13 Kentucky 3-2 (16-25, 26-24, 25-17, 19-25, 17-15) Friday night in the third round of the NCAA Championship at the University of Minnesota's Sports Pavilion.

With the thrilling triumph, the Seminoles (31-2) advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history and will face the winner of Friday night's Minnesota vs. Colorado State match live on ESPNU Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

In the decisive fifth set, the teams switched benches at the eighth point after Stephanie Neville's kill gave FSU an 8-6 lead. Mira Djuric's kill moved the FSU advantage to 11-8 and the Wildcats' (29-5) coaching staff was forced to call a timeout.

The short break worked in UK's favor as the team scored back-to-back points to make it an 11-10 score. But reigning ACC Player of the Year Brianna Barry's key solo block pushed the Seminole lead up to 12-10.

See the video of the teams celebration and post match comments by CLICKING HERE

Two Florida Universities make it to the Sweet 16's of the NCAA Tournament

It is exciting to know that two teams from Florida; Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles have a chance to compete in the Final Four!!

The Sweet 16 of Volleyball is this weekend, December 11th and 12th. Both UF and FSU face tough matches on Friday.


NCAA Southeast Regional: Four of the sixteen teams will be playing in Gainesville Friday at 3:30pm , Baylor vs. California , ranked 9th in the nation. Penn State , ranked #1 in the nation and last years champion, will be competing against The Florida Gators - ranked 16th, at 6pm on Friday in the O’Connell Center.

Florida State the top seed in this bracket and the ACC champion will be playing in Minneapolis , Minnesota , against a talented Kentucky team (SEC Champion) on Friday December 11th.

See a great Video of FSU in Minneapolis on Seminoles.com

Winners of these two games will be competing Saturday, December 12th at 4pm in the Regional finals to participate in the Final Four in Tampa .

You can see The NCAA Volleyball Bracket by clicking here:

Stay tuned to the report to see how our Florida teams do and follow the tournament to see who will be in the Final Four in Tampa.

SPECIAL THANKS TO GUEST WRITER CRISTY MACHADO WHO TOOK THE TIME TO HIGHLIGHT THE TWO FLORIDA UNIVERSITIES THAT ARE STILL COMPETING IN THE NCAA DIV I TOURNAMENT.

Help us keep Sand Volleyball in the NCAA...

Every Vote Counts

Sand Volleyball has been approved as a college sport, but in January there will be another vote held to OVERRIDE this approval. Beach Volleyball has come so far, help us, as we support it becoming a NCAA sport. Here's a chance to make a difference and support a sport that we all love. In addition it opens more opportunities for scholarships for Volleyball players.

We need your support and your vote and it will only take 30 seconds of your time.
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Middle School Playoffs: Miami Dade

On Wednesday Dec 3rd, the Middle School Divisional Playoffs got underway at Tamiami Park on the outside hard courts. The top eight teams that had survived the earlier round of the playoffs would all converge at one location to determine a South Dade and a North Dade Champion.

Eight Varsity teams and six Junior Varsity teams had made it this far but only one Champion from the North and South would have their season extended for one more match for both Varsity and JV.

It might not have been the best day to play volleyball outside due to the high winds and threat of rain but you could tell by looking at all the young ladies present that they were all very excited to be at this playoff event sharing the court with 14teams.

Besides the fact that the matches were outside, it was similar to a USAV club event in that the girls were able to observe other matches. For those who do play club, they were able to see many friends on opposing teams. In all, the day's action will hopefully be something every player remembers regardless of who won or lost.


Of course there were winners with Palmetto d Carver for the South Championship and Filer d. Miami Springs in the North Championship.



Arvida's JV captured the South's Championship, Coached by Jerry and Joy Beverly.


Next Week both the North and South Champions will meet at the Miami Springs high school gym to determine both the Miami Dade County Champions for varsity and JV. We wish the best of luck to the teams that will advance to the county championship match.

Top 10 Middle School Varsity Teams for Miami Dade County:

1) Palmetto/Filer
2) Filer/Palmetto
3) Carver
4) Miami Springs
5) Rockway
6) Glades
7) Palm Springs
8) Country Club
9) Mas Canosa
10) Hialeah

Below are a few pictures of the days action. (Click on any Image to enlarge it).