Colorado State University Athletics
CSU Volleyball NCAA Tournament 101
11/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 28, 2007
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - After a regular season title, winning 20 games for the 20th time in school history and naming five players to the Mountain West all-conference team, CSU volleyball will take the next step and travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday. So what do you need to know about the trip? Here are some of the answers to frequently asked questions.
How can I find out about the game?
KCSU radio will broadcast the Rams' matches live over the airwaves at 90.5 FM. You can also listen online FREE by clicking the link on the volleyball schedule page of csurams.com. Also on the Web site will be free live stats coverage. The first game will start at 3:30 MST and there will be a pregame show prior to the start time. A second-round game would start at 5 p.m. MST on Saturday and would immediately follow the CSU women's basketball game with Colorado.
Why are we going to Michigan instead of hosting?
NCAA volleyball is regionally grouped for the first- and second-round matches. CSU was eligible to host but because another team did not qualify for the tournament within 300 miles, the Rams will travel to Ann Arbor. Even though it is not the home team, CSU is the top-seeded team in the bracket.
Why wouldn't Michigan also be a seeded team?
Michigan was awarded the first- and second-round site host as a result of the location and that it bid for the event. Because Miami (OH) and Illinois State are both within 300 miles they will drive to the event. The NCAA has a policy that states it requires teams within 300 miles to drive and outside 300 miles to fly. Because it pays the travel costs of the teams the NCAA is looking to geographically group sites and fly as few teams as possible.
Why is it important that we are the No. 14 seed? I thought we were ranked No. 21?
Colorado State is ranked No. 21 in the CSTV/AVCA Division I Coaches poll but the NCAA has awarded the Rams the No. 14 seed overall in the tournament. In volleyball, unlike basketball which seeds each bracket, the NCAA only designates 16 "seeded" teams. Those are considered to be the top 16 teams. The coaches' poll is simply the voting of the designated coaches while seeding takes into account several factors including RPI, quality wins and regular-season conference finishes.
I am new to following volleyball, what's the scoop on CSU?
The Colorado State volleyball teams have reached the NCAA Tournament 19 times, including the last 13 years in a row. CSU won the Mountain West regular-season title for a record sixth time this season. Tonya Mokelki, Jaime Strauss, Mekana Barnes and Ashley Fornstrom each were named all-MWC this year. Barnes was named the Player of the Year while Fornstrom was named the Designated Setter. The Rams rank nationally as a team in blocks per game (4), kills per game (10), hitting percentage (14) and assists (15). Fornstrom is ranked seventh in the nation in assists. Barnes is ranked fourth in the nation in blocks and ninth nationally in hitting percentage. As a sport volleyball is fast-paced and exciting with a point scored on every serve. The Rams have the uncanny ability to make big plays and as the top-seeded team in their section of the bracket have the potential to come away with a pair of victories this weekend.