The 2023 DII women’s volleyball championship, previewed

The 2023 DII women’s volleyball championship will serve things up beginning Nov. 30 in various host sites across the country for regional play. Before the road to UPMC Events Center in Moon Township, Pennsylvania begins, let’s take a region-by-region look at the bracket.

DII WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: EVERYTHING TO KNOW

Atlantic Region

Team to beat: Gannon. Of course it is. In the last five DII women’s volleyball championship tournaments, Gannon has reached the final eight four times. Somewhat surprisingly, despite all those final eight appearances, the Golden Knights enter the tournament on the heels of their first back-to-back PSAC tournament titles, so they have plenty of momentum at the right time. 

Team to watch: Wheeling. Well, when Gannon doesn’t make it to the final eight, it has been the Cardinals. Going back to a small sample size, since 2016, it has been Wheeling (three trips) or Gannon that has advanced to the national quarterfinals from this part of the bracket. The Cardinals are coming in hot, straight off their 16th consecutive conference championship, and should — as always — be considered a favorite to come out of the Atlantic. 

Upset alert: Pitt-Johnstown. Traditionally, the Atlantic Region is pretty straight forward in the first round, with the higher seeds often prevailing, so you shouldn’t expect too much drama here. So, why the Mountain Cats? They have faced their first-round opponent — Indiana (PA) — twice this season and lost each time. It is difficult to beat a team three times in a season. 

Central Region

Team to beat: Concordia-St. Paul. Really going out on a limb here. The Golden Bears are No. 2 in the AVCA top 25 and have appeared in 11 national championship matches over the past 20 years. This team could have a down year, be the No. 8 seed — and they would still be the most-feared team in this part of the bracket. 

Team to watch: Wayne State (Neb). The Wildcats returned to the DII tournament for the first time since 2016 last year, and they did so as the No. 1 host seed. They fell in upset fashion in the second round to No. 5 St. Cloud State, so they certainly have that fresh in their minds. The Wildcats opened the season playing on the largest stage in women’s college volleyball history at Volleyball Day in Nebraska, so wouldn’t it be fitting to see them close the season on DII women’s volleyball’s largest stage?

Upset alert: St. Cloud State. Upsets happen often in the Central Region because…