Penn State earns top seed for NCAA volleyball tournament

Daily Collegian When the brackets were announced Sunday night, the Lady Lions (30-0, 20-0 Big Ten) were all smiles after realizing they attained all three goals. "We can't complain," middle hitter Lauren Cacciamani said. "There were a lot of teams who wanted a chance at the Final Four. It should be exciting." The Lions heard for the first time last night that they would play host to Bucknell for the first round of the NCAA playoffs Friday. The match between Clemson and Fairfield, also to take place in Rec Hall, will determine the Lions' second round opponent, barring their collapse in the first round. The Lions are the top seed in the Central Region, ahead of No. 6 Brigham Young, No. 10 Pacific and No. 23 Louisville. The Lions are just one of six teams from the Big 10 to receive a bid to the tournament. Other Big 10 teams entering into the postseason include No. 8 Wisconsin, No. 14 Michigan State, No. 21 Illinois, Ohio State and Indiana. One thing Penn State can breathe easier about is that it has no possibility of facing a Big 10 team until the Final Four. Although the Lions are happy to be the top seed, it wasn't really their top priority, Penn State coach Russ Rose said. "We've done everything within our power to be hosting," Rose said before the bracket announcement. "Whether we're seeded first or second doesn't really make much difference. You still need to win six matches to win a national championship." Not only was the bracket announcement and Penn State's top seeding in the region indicative of the Lions' strength, but it also indicated the strength of the Big 10 overall. Of the six Big 10 teams in the tournament, four will be hosting first and second round activities. No. 1 Long Beach State earned the top seed in the Mountain Region; No. 4 Florida was seated atop the East Region, and No. 3 Nebraska took the top spot in the Pacific Region. This year's tournament was expanded from 56 teams to 64. The extra eight spots were installed to aid the NCAA in the selection process. It also allowed the stronger, more deserving conferences to have better representation. Along with the Big 10, the Big 12 and the WAC will each send six teams to the tournament. The ACC, Big West and Pac 10 each send four teams. "I think the conferences that got six teams were the ones with good depth and good quality at the top," Rose said. "I think the committee did a good job with what their charge is, and now we have to take care of what our responsibilities are."