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
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