Sooner Volleyball Headed to NCAA Tournament

Nov. 29, 2009

Oklahoma (18-11) at Southern California (21-9)
Date	Friday, December 4, 2009 \| 9 p.m. CT
Location	Los Angeles, Calif. \| Galen Center
Tickets	Available through the USC Ticket Office
Internet	Live Stats \| Live Webcast \| Postseason Guide
Information	Tournament Central

NORMAN, Okla. – After wrapping up the regular season with an 18-11 overall mark and 11-9 record in Big 12 play, the University of Oklahoma volleyball program is headed back to the NCAA Tournament. The Sooners open play on Friday at 9 p.m. CT against Southern California in Los Angeles. Joining Oklahoma and USC (21-9) in the regional are New Mexico (20-9) and No. 12 national seed Hawai'i (27-2). Saturday's regional final is set for a 9 p.m. CT start.

All-session tickets will be $15 for adults and $12 for children/students/seniors while single-session tickets will be $10 for adults and $6 for children/students/seniors. To purchase tickets, please contact the USC Ticket Office at (213) 740-GOSC or visit www.USCTrojans.com. Live stats and a live Webcast of all matches will be available free of charge at www.USCTrojans.com.

“I am very proud of how hard this team has worked to get to the NCAA Tournament,” said Oklahoma head coach Santiago Restrepo. “This team is more mature this year and having last season under our belts really helped in critical matches this year.

“I'm extremely happy for our seniors – Bridget (Laplante) and Jackie (Fotu). Bridget has been three out of four years, as has (junior) Francie (Ekwerekwu). It's also great for these sophomores who get to enjoy this moment. It's just exciting.”

The Sooners ended the regular season 18-11 overall and posted a 11-9 mark in Big 12 play. The Oklahoma finished in a three-way tie with Baylor and Texas A&M for fourth place in the Big 12 standings. OU swept the season series against the Bears and went 1-1 against the Aggies. Entering the final week of play, OU's NCAA ratings percentage index was 48.

“I am very excited about going back to the NCAA Tournament,” added senior Bridget Laplante. “This is a great way to end my career at Oklahoma. This is the first time for our sophomores and freshmen to go to the Big Dance, and I want this to be a great experience for them. We have all worked so hard this season, and it's exciting to see that work pay off.”

Under Restrepo, Oklahoma's last trip to the NCAA Tournament was in 2007. The Sooners advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2006 after winning the Fayetteville, Ark. Regional. Oklahoma previously went to the Big Dance in 1997, 1988 (Sweet 16) and 1987.