TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State volleyball team (19-10, 11-7) begin its 24th NCAA Tournament on Friday evening in Minneapolis, Minn., when they take on the Northern Iowa Panthers (26-7, 17-1). First serve is set for 5:30 p.m. inside of Maturi Pavilion on the campus of the University of Minnesota. ESPN+ plus will have the coverage with Emma Carpenter (Play-by-Play), Meredith Uram-Nelson (Color) and Connor O’Neal (Sideline) on the call.
Right Where We Belong
The Florida State volleyball team has been a staple in the NCAA Tournament over the past 15 years. The Seminoles have been in the NCAA Tournament in 12 out of the last 13 seasons. The only season the Seminoles did not make the NCAA Tournament was the COVID spring season in 2021. In Chris Poole’s 15 years at Florida State, the Seminoles have only missed the NCAA Tournament twice.
NCAA Tournament History
Florida State will play its 42nd NCAA Tournament match on Friday and have an 18-23 in the NCAA Tournament. The Seminoles ended a four-match losing streak in the NCAA Tournament when they defeated Kansas State in three sets before falling to Nebraska in the second round. The Noles will be looking for its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016.
Facing a Familiar Foe
Northern Iowa is a familiar foe for one member of the Florida State staff. First year assistant coach Lindsay Allman was the head coach at Indiana State where they played Northern Iowa twice a year as part of its Missouri Valley Conference schedule. After struggling against the Panthers in her first three seasons, Allman was 2-2 against the Panthers in 2020 and 2021.
Success in the Twin Cities
This will be the third time that the Seminoles have been sent to Minneapolis for the NCAA Tournament. The Seminoles are 3-1 when playing in Minneapolis during the NCAA Tournament. The Seminoles beat Kentucky in the 2009 NCAA Tournament in Minneapolis before falling to Minnesota. In 2011, the Seminoles took down Purdue and Iowa State in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight to punch a ticket to the program’s first and only Final Four.
Getting Hot at the Right Time
Following back-to-back losses to Virginia and Pitt, the Noles were 12-7 and 4-4 in ACC play with their NCAA Tournament hopes coming down to the final 10 matches of the season. The Noles have won seven out its last ten games including a big 3-0 sweep against a top 50 team on the road against Miami to seal its postseason fate.
A Model of Consistency
Senior middle blocker Emma…