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University of Oklahoma Athletics
VB Opens Sweet 16 with UCLA Tonight
December 08, 2006 | Volleyball
NORMAN, Okla. - For the first time since 1988 and only the second time in school history, the Oklahoma volleyball team has advanced to the NCAA Regionals in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The 13th-seeded Sooners advanced to the Sweet 16 after sweeping both Oral Roberts and Missouri State in the First and Second Rounds in Fayetteville, Ark., this past weekend.
Oklahoma will face UCLA, the fourth overall seed, in the Regional opener this Friday, Dec. 8 at 8:30 p.m. (CST). Joining the Sooners and Bruins in the four-team Regional are fifth-seeded Southern California and host school Hawaii (12th seed), who will match up at 11 p.m. (CST) on Friday night.
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The winners of Friday night's matches will meet in the Regional Final at 10:30 p.m. (CST) Saturday night. That match will be televised on ESPNU.
The winner of the Regional Final will advance to the Final Four in Omaha, Neb. Fifteen of the top 16 seeds advanced to NCAA Regionals with the top four seeds all advancing. In addition to fourth-seeded UCLA, No. 1 Nebraska, No. 2 Stanford and No. 3 Penn State all advanced to the Sweet 16.
HAWAII REGIONAL AT A GLANCE
Oklahoma, playing in only its fourth NCAA Tournament in history, will be matched up against three perennial volleyball powerhouses. UCLA, USC and Hawaii have a combined nine NCAA titles, three each, and over 80 NCAA Tournament appearances.
The University of Southern California is making its 16th straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and 29th overall. The UCLA Bruins are appearing in the NCAA Championship for the 25th time in school history and have advanced to a Regional for the fourth straight year and seventh time in the last eight years. The host school, the University of Hawaii, received an automatic bid to the tournament after winning the WAC Tournament and has advanced to the NCAA Regionals for the ninth straight year.
SCHEDULE
Below is the schedule for the NCAA Regionals in Honolulu, Hawaii
Friday, Dec. 8
Match 1 8:30 p.m. (4:30 HAST) - Oklahoma vs. UCLA
Match 2 11 p.m. (7 p.m. HAST) - USC vs. Hawaii
Saturday, Dec. 9
Match 3 10:30 p.m. (6:30 HAST) - Match 1 winner vs. Match 2 winner
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
With only its fourth appearance in NCAA Championship history, the Sooners do not have a lot of experience in the postseason. However, the Sooners have a winning record in four years of experience in 2006, 1997, 1988, and 1987. OU owns a .625 winning percentage in tournament action.
In its last trip to the Sweet 16 in 1988, Oklahoma was swept by Illinois.
OU IN HAWAII
The Sooners will be playing in the state of Hawaii for the first time in school history. Oklahoma and the University of Hawaii have met on two occasions in series history, but both times the match was played on a neutral court.
SCOUTING UCLA
Oklahoma will match up against UCLA for the first time in school history. The Bruins will be the sixth top-10 team the Sooners have faced this season as UCLA enters Regional play as the fourth overall seed in the tournament and ranked No. 4 in the country.
The Bruins enter Friday night's match with a 31-3 mark with its only three losses coming to No. 2 Stanford (twice) and No. 3 Washington, last year's National Champion.
UCLA owns one of the top offenses in the country and leads all teams in the Hawaii Regional in offensive statistics. The Bruins are led by first team All-Pac 10 selections Nana Meriwether and Nellie Spicer. Meriwether, a middle blocker, leads the entire country in hitting percentage with a .458 clip while also leading the team with 4.08 KPG. At the setter position, Spicer is one of the best in the country as she is guiding the team to a .270 hitting percentage while ranking in the top five in the NCAA with 13.63 assists per game.
The Bruins will also be tough at the net as they are pounding 3.55 BPG behind the play of Meriwether who is averaging 1.96 BPG, the best in the country.
SCOUTING USC
The Trojans arrive to Friday night's match with a 27-4 overall record and have won nine of their last 10 matches, with their only loss during that stretch to UCLA. All four of USC's losses have been to top-five teams in Stanford, UCLA (twice) and Washington. Conversely, USC has notched six wins over top-25 teams, including two in the top-10. The fifth-seeded Trojans beat Ole Miss and Brigham Young to advance to the Sweet 16.
The Sooners and Trojans have only met once in series history with USC claiming the 3-1 victory in Norman on Sept. 7, 1990.
Defensively, USC has one of the top back row players in the country in libero Debora Seilhamer, an All-Pac 10 selection. She has set single match school records and is averaging 6.41 digs per game while the entire squad is averaging 17.46 DPG. At the net, the Trojans are recording 3.07 blocks per game behind the play of middle blocker Bethany Johansen who is recording a team-high 1.12 BPG.
Setter and Pac-10 Freshman of the Year Taylor Carico is leading the team to a .260 hitting percentage with her 12.76 assists per game. The offensive leaders for the Trojans are outside hitters Asia Kaczor (4.96 KPG) and Diane Copenhagen (4.02 KPG).
SCOUTING HAWAII
The host school of the Regional enters the match with a 15-match winning streak and a 28-5 record. Hawaii has been tough at home with a 16-4 record and its only four losses at home to top-25 teams. Hawaii's other loss was a five-game loss to New Mexico State on the road. The Rainbow Wahine beat Oregon and Long Beach State to advance to their own Regional.
Hawaii received an automatic bid to the Tournament after winning the WAC Tournament. The Rainbow Wahine dominated WAC play with a 15-1 record and placed five team members on the All-WAC squad, including Conference Player of the Year Kanoe Kamana'o. The setter is averaging 13.49 assists per game and leading the Rainbow Wahine to a .269 hitting percentage. Leading Hawaii's offensive attack is All-WAC first teamer Jamie Houston (5.46 KPG) and Sarah Mason (4.04 KPG).
Defensively, Hawaii is one of the best blocking teams in the country as it records 3.52 blocks per game behind the play of Juliana Sanders (1.43 BPG) and Kari Gregory (1.63 BPG).
RESTREPO WINS IN DEBUT
In his sixth year as a head coach at the Division I level and third with Oklahoma, Santiago Restrepo made his head coaching debut in the NCAA Tournament this past weekend and earned two wins in his first-ever NCAA Championship.
SOONERS HIGHLIGHT INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Oklahoma picked up three of the six individual postseason Big 12 awards as the conference coaches selected players from around the league for individual honors. Senior middle blocker Eliane Santos was named the league's Co-Defensive Player of the Year while fellow senior Anna Monsen was selected as the Co-Libero of the Year. Highlighting the Oklahoma selections was head coach Santiago Restrepo who was named Big 12 Coach of the Year.
HISTORY MADE WITH ALL-BIG 12 SELECTIONS
For the first time in school history, Oklahoma had four selections on the all-conference teams. In addition, the Sooners tied Nebraska for the most selections of any Big 12 team in 2006. Oklahoma had a member on the All-Big 12 first team for the first time since 1996 as seniors Joanna Schmitt and Eliane Santos claimed first team accolades. Rounding out the Sooner foursome were fellow seniors Rachel Jackson and Laura Tomes who earned honorable mention honors.
PROGRAM-BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE
With a current 28-5 record, the Oklahoma volleyball team is assured of the highest winning percentage in school history. The previous best was .765 as the 1987 squad finished with a 26-8 record under head coach Miles Pabst. OU's current winning percentage is .848.
SOONERS EARN HIGHEST RANKING EVER
The Oklahoma volleyball squad continues to climb up the polls as it received a No. 12 ranking in the latest CSTV/AVCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll released Dec. 4, marking its highest ranking in program history. Oklahoma finished the 1988 season ranked No. 13, the only other season the program was ranked.
BEST ONE YEAR TURNAROUND
The Sooner volleyball program has undergone a complete turnaround from the 2005 season. OU finished the 2005 season with a 7-22 overall mark and 2-18 record in Big 12 play. However, the Sooners have done a complete reversal in 2006 and own a 28-5 record and finished with a 17-3 mark in Big 12 play. The Sooners own the best one-year turnaround in conference history. Below is a look at the best one-year improvements in the conference:
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MONSEN DIGS 1,000
In OU's previous match against Colorado, senior libero Anna Monsen became only the second player in OU rally-scoring history to reach 1,000 career digs. The senior follows Joanna Schmitt with 1,080 career digs.
SEEING DOUBLE
Outside hitter Joanna Schmitt has been the Sooners' go-to-girl this season. It is no surprise as the senior captain is leading the team with a 4.32 kills per game average (third in the Big 12) and has recorded 20 double-doubles this season.
2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The 2006 Sooners have had a record-breaking season in head coach Santiago Restrepo's third year at the helm of the program. Below are key milestones the Sooners have achieved in 2006.
* Ranked in top-25 for first time since 1988
* Best winning percentage in program history
* Best Big 12 record ever
* Most wins since 1980 (finished 36-23 that year)
* Best conference finish ever (second place)
* Highest top-25 ranking ever (No. 12)
SOLO LEADER
Middle blocker Eliane Santos has been a force at the net in her two-year career with the Sooners. Santos led all Big 12 players in the regular season with 40 solo blocks and finished second in the conference in Big 12 play with 1.61 blocks per game. The senior is also the OU rally-scoring record holder with 62 career solo blocks in her two-year stint with the Sooners.
THIRD YEAR A CHARM
Head coach Santiago Restrepo knows how to turn around a program and his third year with a team has been deadly for opponents. In his third year at Southern Miss, Restrepo led the Golden Eagles to a program-best 27-6 record. He has done the same in his third year at Oklahoma. Below is look at his first three years at each school.
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MAKING HISTORY TIMELINE
The 2006 version of the Oklahoma volleyball squad has been all about making history and defying the odds. Below is a timeline of the accomplishments the squad has achieved this season.
Sept. 13 - OU 3, Texas A&M 0
* OU snaps a 27-year losing streak to Texas A&M and earns its first-ever win in College Station in the Big 12 opener.
Sept. 27 - OU 3, #8 Texas 2
* Win over then-No. 8 Texas marks first-time ever OU has beaten Texas in volleyball and the first time since 1998 that OU beat a top-25 team.
Sept. 30 - OU 3, Colorado 2
* Oklahoma beats Colorado for the first time in Boulder since Oct. 13, 1988.
Oct. 2 - OU Ranked No. 25
* OU cracks the top-25 polls on Oct. 2 for the first time since 1988.
Oct. 11 - OU 3, Texas Tech 2
* With a come-from-behind 3-2 win, OU beat Texas Tech in Lubbock for the first time since Oct. 18, 1997.
Oct. 14 - OU 3, Kansas State 2
* OU snaps a 14-match losing streak to Kansas State with a 3-2 win over the Wildcats in Manhattan.
Oct. 18 - OU 3, #12 Missouri 0
* A 12-match losing streak to Missouri is snapped with an upset of the then-No. 12 Tigers.
Nov. 11 - OU 3, Kansas State 0
*With the sweep, OU completes best one-year turnaround in Big 12 history.
Nov. 15 - OU 3, Missouri 2
*Sooners record best Big 12 record in OU history.
Nov. 25 - OU 3, Baylor 1
*OU's victory gives OU a second-place finish in the Big 12 standings, its highest in history.
Nov. 26 - Sooners Selected as the 13th Overall Seed
*For the first time since 1997 and only fourth time in the history of the program, the Oklahoma volleyball team is invited to the 64-team field NCAA Tournament. The Sooners are picked as a 13th overall seed in the Championship.
Nov. 27 - Four Sooners Named All-Conference
*Oklahoma places four Sooners on the All-Big 12 teams for the first time in history. OU earns a first-team selection for the first time since 1996 as Joanna Schmitt and Eliane Santos earn first-team accolades. Seniors Rachel Jackson and Laura Tomes round out Oklahoma's list as honorable mention selections.
Dec. 2 - OU 3, Missouri State 0
*The Sooners sweep Missouri State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and advance to the Sweet 16 for only the second time in school history and first appearance since 1988.
SCHMITT MAKES HISTORY
Senior Joanna Schmitt has accomplished a feat that few Sooners in history have done. The Wisconsin native is the first Sooner in OU rally-scoring history to reach 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills and only the fourth in the 32-year history of the program.
ACADEMIC HONORS
Rachel Jackson and Hannah Sharp were both named to the Academic All-District second and third teams, respectively. Additionally, Jackson, Sharp as well as Anna Monsen and Joanna Schmitt were named to the Academic All-Big 12 first team. Eliane Santos rounded out the crew with her second-team selection.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES
Oklahoma ended last season with a 7-22 overall mark and a 2-18 record in Big 12 play. In 2006, the Sooners have far surpassed last year's win total in conference and overall. A comparison of the stats below shows what a difference a year makes.
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SOONERS COLLECT 20-WIN SEASON
Oklahoma collected its 20th win of the season against TCU on Oct. 31. It marked the first 20-win season for OU since 1997 when the Sooners finished with a 20-13 overall record. In the 32-year history of the program the Sooners have now had 12 20-win seasons.
BLOCK PARTY
Traditionally when people think of the top blocking team in the Big 12, perennial powerhouse Nebraska comes to mind. However, Oklahoma took that over as it finished the Big 12 regular season as the top-blocking team in Big 12 matches with 3.23 per game.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Sooners have been impressive when playing away from home this season. In neutral matches, OU owns a perfect 6-0 record with wins over Oregon State, South Dakota State, Sam Houston State, Texas Southern, Oral Roberts and Missouri State. In true road matches, Oklahoma is 9-3 with its only road losses to top-10 teams Wisconsin, Nebraska and Texas.
VB Highlights: OU 3, Saint Mary's 0
Saturday, September 13
VB Highlights: OU 3, Saint Mary's 1
Friday, September 12
VB Highlights: OU 3, Florida State 2
Wednesday, September 10
VB Highlights: OU 3, Abilene Christian 0
Saturday, August 30
