"Occupy NCAA."
It was Mick Haley’s poke at the NCAA women’s volleyball selection committee during Sunday’s tournament bracket show on national TV. The coach of top-ranked Southern California doesn’t understand the method — and especially the madness — the committee used in seeding the 64-team field.
For yet another postseason, there is a huge disconnect between the computer-generated Ratings Percentage Index that drives the selection committee and the national coaches poll. Last week’s AVCA rankings had USC at No. 1, followed by Nebraska and Hawaii.
NCAA TOURNAMENT
At Stan Sheriff Center
THURSDAY’S FIRST ROUND
» Colorado State (23-5) vs. Oregon (21-9), 5 p.m.
» Northern Colorado (22-8) vs. No. 3 Hawaii (29-1), 7 p.m.
FRIDAY’S SECOND ROUND
» Thursday’s winners, 7 p.m.
TV: TBA
Radio: 1420-AM
Two-day packages: $7 students, $16 seniors, $18 adult upper, $25 adult lower
Single day: $5 students, $10 seniors, $12 adult upper, $17 adult lower
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"It seems I’m out of touch," Haley said. "Three of the teams I voted as being the top four today are all in our regional."
Those would be his Women of Troy (25-4), champions of the Pac-12, seeded seventh overall; Big Ten champion Nebraska (23-3), the No. 2; and host Hawaii (29-1), the 10th seed. What is considered the most brutal of the four regionals also contains six other conference champions: the West Coast’s Pepperdine (22-6), seeded 15th; as well as unseeded Colorado State (23-6), Mountain West; Tulsa (27-6), Conference USA; Jackson State (25-9), Southwestern Athletic; Yale (18-6), Ivy; and Northern Colorado (22-8), Big Sky.
The last team is the only concern for the Rainbow Wahine, who are home for a subregional for the first time since 2003. Hawaii takes a 24-match winning streak into Thursday’s contest with Northern Colorado.
"I’m so excited to be home this week," said senior All-American Kanani Danielson, whose previous three NCAA tournaments have begun at USC (twice) and Washington. "It is such a huge difference, not to have to turn around and get on a plane.
"There’s no time difference, no having to tell teachers you won’t be here and to please let us know what we need to do to keep up in classes. And it’s a chance to rest your body."
There isn’t much rest for Hawaii, which spent last week on the road, winning the Western Athletic Conference tournament in Las Vegas and topping Cal State Fullerton on Friday. The Wahine had a 6 a.m. practice today in preparation for their first meeting with Northern Colorado.
"We know they are a good team, have traditionally been a good team," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "It won’t be an easy match.
"I am concerned that we have had slow starts in two of our last three matches (down 0-2 against Fresno State last Tuesday and 0-1 against Fullerton on Friday). We can’t afford to start slow in the NCAA matches."
Asked if there was pressure to win this week when finally being home, Shoji said: "We’ve wanted to be at home for the first and second rounds for a long time, since 2003. This is for our fans, too."
(Hawaii continues to lead the country in attendance for the 18th consecutive year, averaging 6,497 in 20 home matches).
The last time the Wahine hosted a regional was 2006, where they rallied to defeat USC in five before being swept by UCLA. The draw is equally tough for Hawaii to be at home for next week’s regional.
"This season is wide open," he said, taking the Wahine to their 30th NCAA tournament. "A number of conferences could have been won by a number of teams.
"One thing I wish the committee would consider is the coaches’ poll. They should take into consideration how the coaches feel about certain teams. But, at this point, I’m not looking at potential match-ups down the road. We’re looking at Northern Colorado."
This is UNC’s second NCAA D-I tournament appearance after moving up from D-II. The Bears played Colorado State in their inaugural D-I appearance in 2009.
Thursday’s first match has Colorado State taking on Oregon at 5 p.m.
Sunday, Texas was awarded the No. 1 seed, followed by Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa State. Overall the Big Ten and Big 12 were awarded the top four seeds and eight of the 16.
Shoji buys 100 student tickets
UH Manoa students have been admitted free this season and Shoji wants to keep the support going. He has purchased 100 tickets that he will distribute to the first 100 UHM students in line with valid I.D. at 9 a.m. today.
"I want them, they’ve been great this season," he said.
Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center box office. Prices range from $5 to $17 (single day) and $7-$25 (two-day).
