Thursday’s 2024 NCAA volleyball semifinals are not just all-No. 1 seed matchups but also feature conference rivals facing off on the biggest stage of the sport.
With one all-ACC and one all-Big Ten semifinal scheduled, the top conferences in the sport are geared up to compete in Sunday’s championship game. The Big Ten looks to add another title to its collection of volleyball trophies, while the ACC aims to secure their first-ever NCAA title in volleyball.
The ACC teams hunting history
Thursday’s first match features Pitt against Louisville, with both teams vying to become the ACC’s first national volleyball champion. Both rivals have been close to NCAA glory in recent years, with the Panthers falling in the past three national semifinals and Louisville making it to the Final Four in 2021 and becoming the conference’s first finalist in 2022.
This will mark the third consecutive year that the ACC rivals have met in the tournament. Louisville defeated Pitt 3-2 in their 2022 semifinal, while the Panthers ousted Louisville with a reverse sweep in last year’s Regional final.
Both teams have been in the Top-5 rankings all season, led by standout players. Pitt sophomore Olivia Babcock led the ACC in service aces and kills rates, earning her the conference’s Player of the Year honor. Babcock set an NCAA tournament record with 31 kills against Oregon in the Panther’s Regional semifinal.
Louisville’s veteran outside hitter Anna DeBeer continues to lead the team, reaching career milestones in kills and digs this season.
With the Final Four set in Louisville, the Cardinals have the home-court advantage entering Thursday’s semifinal. However, to claim a national championship in front of their fans, Louisville will have to overcome Pitt, the overall top team of the year who has defeated the Cardinals twice already.
The Big Ten’s perennial contenders
With 32 semifinal appearances and 21 championship matches resulting in 12 national titles between them, Big Ten rivals Penn State and Nebraska will bring their deep Final Four experience to Thursday’s nightcap.
Nebraska has been dominant throughout the tournament, dropping just one set, while Penn State has lost four sets, the most among the semifinalists.
The Nittany Lions had the upper hand against the Huskers in the regular season, handing Nebraska their only conference loss and breaking their 25-match win streak.
To defeat Nebraska once again, Penn State must replicate their successful blocking strategy from November and maintain their offensive strength led by outside hitter Jess Mruzik. Nebraska’s Merritt Beason and Harper Murray fuel a strong attack, while libero Lexi Rodriguez anchors the team’s defense.
Both teams are eyeing redemption as Nebraska aims to avenge last year’s final loss, while Penn State seeks a return to the top after falling to Nebraska in the 2017 semifinal.
How to watch the 2024 NCAA volleyball Final Four
Pitt and Louisville will kick off Thursday’s NCAA semifinals in an all-ACC battle at 6:30 PM ET, followed by Nebraska and Penn State’s Big Ten matchup 30 minutes after the first match ends. Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The ACC vs. Big Ten national championship match is scheduled for 3 PM ET on Sunday, with live coverage on ABC.
