Volleyball draws No. 5 Stanford
December 3, 2003
It seems like deja vu.
For the second year in a row, the Sacramento State volleyballteam will play Stanford University in the first round of the NCAAtournament.
The game, held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Maples Pavillion,will be the Hornets’ sixth tournament appearance overall.Last season, the Cardinal defeated Sac State 3-0.
The Hornets earned their tournament berth by defeating EasternWashington University in the Big Sky Conference tournament final onNov. 22.
The Cardinal is ranked No. 5 in the latest USA Today/AmericanVolleyball Coaches Association poll and never fell out of the top10 this season.
According to NCAA rules, the top 16 teams are seeded nationallyand the remaining teams are seeded according to proximity.
As a result, Sac State will consistently be placed in bracketswith perennial powerhouses like Stanford, University of the Pacificand Pepperdine University.
“Until they change the way they seed, we’re alwaysgoing to be in a very tough region,” Sac State head coachDebby Colberg said. “It’s going to be hard, but younever know what can happen.”
On the upside, the tournament traditionally provides Colberg,who was named Big Sky Coach of the Year for the sixth time, with anopportunity to prepare for the next season.
“The way we see it, the pressure’s off. We have achance to experiment and try new things and have fun.”
That is not to say that the Hornets will go to Maples Pavilionand roll over.
A win in the first round of the tournament would not be theirfirst – in 1998, Sac State defeated the University of Houston inthe first round for the only win in program history.
Stanford went all the way to the Final Four last season and wonthe national championship the year before.
They bring a 23-6 overall record to the match, including a 12-2record at home.
They are paced by All-American outside hitter Ogonna Nnamani wholeads the team in kills, with 5.36 per game.
Outside hitter Sandra Bandimere leads the team in kills with3.89 per game. Setter Lisa Beauchene, who was named Big SkyConference MVP, averages 11.02 assists.
