The 2024 NCAA DI women’s volleyball regionals are here, with 16 teams battling for spots in the national semifinals. Let’s break down each regional semifinal matchup, drawing from NCAA Digital’s Michaela Chester and her insights and additional notes.
Pittsburgh Regional
Pitt vs. Oregon
Top-seeded Pittsburgh faces Oregon in what promises to be an exciting rematch. The two teams opened their 2024 seasons against each other, with Pitt sweeping Oregon in Eugene. While Pitt has remained dominant throughout the season, dropping only 12 sets in 32 matches, Oregon has shown significant improvement, overcoming early roster turnover and injuries. The Ducks swept High Point and defeated No. 20 TCU to reach their third consecutive Sweet 16. Pitt’s Olivia Babcock, the AVCA East Coast Region Player of the Year, leads the offense with 461 kills, while Rachel Fairbanks averages 10.56 assists per set, posting a nation-best .336 team-hitting percentage. Onye Ofoegbu’s presence in the middle with 1.35 blocks per set will be key in countering Pitt’s offensive firepower. Oregon also boasts one of the best blocking units nationally, averaging 2.89 blocks per set, compared to Pitt’s 2.93.
Kentucky vs. Missouri
Kentucky and Missouri clash in the other semifinal. Kentucky enters with momentum after a tough non-conference slate, buoyed by the return of Erin Lamb and the stellar play of Brooklyn DeLeye, who earned SEC Player of the Year honors. The Wildcats are on a 13-match win streak, having dropped only four sets during that span. Kentucky’s dominance was evident in the first two rounds, where they swept Cleveland State and defeated Minnesota in four sets. Missouri, ranked No. 25 in the nation, advanced to its first Sweet 16 since 2017 by beating Texas State and upsetting SMU. Mychael Vernon, the SEC Newcomer of the Year, leads the Tigers with 493 kills, while Jordan Iliff has been a force on the right side with 66 aces, a single-season program record. The Tigers rank fifth nationally in kills per set (14.53) and will look to avenge their two regular-season losses to Kentucky.
Louisville Regional
Louisville vs. Purdue
Louisville and Purdue meet in an exciting Big Ten-ACC showdown. The Cardinals, seeded No. 4 nationally,…
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