One team is trying to get back to the Final Four, while another looks for its first-ever trip to the Elite Eight.
Both the Wisconsin and Marquette volleyball teams play in Friday’s Sweet 16.
NCAA SWEET 16
FRIDAY
2:30 p.m.: No. 2 Penn State (31-2) vs. Marquette (25-8), ESPN2
6:30 p.m.: No. 7 Wisconsin (25-6) vs. Texas A&M (21-7), ESPN2
At 6 p.m., the seventh-ranked and second-seeded Badgers (25-6) face No. 6 seed Texas A&M (21-7) — a team they swept 3-0 back on Sept. 21 in Madison.
If the Badgers win, they likely rematch with third-ranked and top-seeded Nebraska (31-2), which has swept UW twice this season.
Wisconsin was in the Final Four last season, losing to Texas 3-1. The Longhorns went on to win the title, sweeping Nebraska 3-0.
For Marquette (25-8), Friday is basically the championship. The Golden Eagles face off at No. 2-ranked Penn State (31-2). The game is at 2:30 p.m.
The Golden Eagles upset No. 17 Utah 3-2 to get into the Sweet 16. They have gotten this far in the tournament two other times (2022, 2018).
📺 ESPN+ highlights from Marquette's five-set victory over No. 17 Utah to advance to the #NCAAWVB Round of 16! #WeAreMarquette pic.twitter.com/3HdjXCFOXT
— Marquette Volleyball (@MarquetteVB) December 7, 2024
Penn State’s only two losses this season were sweeps against No. 1-ranked Pitt and Wisconsin.
One of Nebraska’s only two losses this season came 3-1 to Penn State back on Nov. 29. The other Cornhuskers’ loss came, oddly enough, 3-0 to Saint Mary’s back on Sept. 3.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – Wisconsin huddles before a match (Julia Kostopoulos, UWbadgers.com)