USF VolleyBulls still hopeful of NCAA bid after loss in conference tournament
The USF VolleyBulls will have to wait until December 1 to learn if they have earned an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.
That's when the selection show will air, and the 64-team field will be unveiled. The Bulls will have to hope for one of the 32 at-large bids after their straight-set loss to host Wichita State in the American Athletic Conference semifinals on Saturday. The Bulls lost with scores of 21-25, 24-26, 22-25.
Even with the upset loss, the Bulls have a strong argument to be included in the field. Their 19-10 overall record included a 14-2 conference record and the AAC's regular-season championship.
They have wins over Florida, ranked 19th in the volleyball RPI standings, and Rice (40th). Heading into the AAC tournament, the Bulls were ranked 54th.
First and second-round competitions will be held at campus sites December 5-7. The winning team from each of the 16 second-round games advance to the regional round. The regionals begin December 12, also at college sites.
The four regional winners advance to the national semifinals on December 19 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville.