Volleyball Headed to Seattle For NCAA Tourney
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Nov. 28, 2004
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas volleyball team earned its second-straight NCAA Tournament bid Sunday night and will face Santa Clara (18-8) in first round action at 7 p.m. Friday (Dec. 3) at the Bank of America Arena in Seattle, Wash. The Jayhawks, who finished 18-11 overall this season, are one of seven teams from the Big 12 Conference to received bids in 2004.
Should the Jayhawks advance, KU will play the winner of the Washington/Idaho match (Friday, 9:30 p.m). The winners will face each other Saturday at 9 p.m. (all times Central). The third-ranked Huskies (24-2) received an automatic berth after winning the Pac-10 Championship, while the Vandals (17-12) were an at-large bid, after placing sixth in the Big West.
The Jayhawks, staff, supporters and media gathered in the Memorial Stadium press box to view the bracket announcement Sunday night on ESPNEWS’ Selection Show.
“We’re are pretty excited tonight,” Kansas head coach Ray Bechard said. “A month ago, many would have written us off, but we turned November into `Yes-vember’ and made a strong finish. This will be a fun opportunity for our team and will give our Midwest squad a little bit of exposure on the West Coast.”
“Santa Clara is historically a strong team and has been for a number of years,” Bechard added. “They are about as good as most of the Big 12 and ranked teams we have played and we are looking forward to the match.”
Santa Clara is currently ranked 25th in the nation and will be making its seventh straight NCAA postseason appearance. The Broncos received an at-large berth into the tournament after placing third in the West Coast Conference.
The Jayhawks and Broncos have met just once in school history with KU claiming the 3-2 win on Sept. 2, 1994.
Kansas finished the 2004 regular season 18-11 and 9-11 in the Big 12 for a sixth-place league finish (tied with Colorado). The Jayhawks were listed in the USA Today/CSTV Top 25 for four weeks this season with a program-best 21st ranking. The Jayhawks join Big 12 foes Nebraska, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Texas, Missouri and Colorado in this year’s 64-team field.
Jump to Live Stats/NCAA Sports homepage.
(To view live stats and final box score, click on link above, find Kansas/Santa Clara match and click on box score.)
