University of Minnesota Athletics
Minneapolis Regional Matchups Set
12/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The matchups for the 2009 NCAA Regionals in Minneapolis, Minn. have been determined. The host and third seed of the region (No. 11 overall), Minnesota, will be joined by Colorado State, the top seed Florida State (No. 3 overall) and Kentucky.
Florida State and Kentucky will open up action in the Minneapolis Regional on Friday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. Minnesota will then face Colorado State at 7 p.m. in the second match of the night. The winners of the two matches will play in the Regional Finals on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m. That match will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
The winner of the Minneapolis Regional will face the winner of the Omaha Regional, which includes Iowa State, host Nebraska, Texas and Texas A&M.
Minnesota will enter NCAA Regional Play with an overall record of 26-8 after defeating Louisville (3-1) and No. 25 Tennessee (3-0) in the first and second rounds in Knoxville, Tenn. It is the Golden Gophers seventh NCAA Regional appearance since 1999. Minnesota received an at-large bid out of the Big Ten after finishing in the third place in the conference at 15-5.
Colorado State brings a 25-5 record into NCAA Regional play after defeating Middle Tennessee (3-2) and upsetting sixth-seeded (No. 2 in the Minneapolis Regional) Washington (3-1) in the first and second rounds in Fort Collins, Colo. The Rams are making their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2003, and their fifth since 1999. Colorado State received the automatic bid out of the Mountain West after finishing first place at 15-1.
Florida State brings a 30-2 record into NCAA Regional play. The Seminoles defeated Alabama A&M (3-0) and Jacksonville State (3-0) to advance to the NCAA Regionals. Florida State, who won the ACC regular-season championship, is making its first appearance in the NCAA Regionals. The Seminoles received the automatic bid out of the ACC by finishing in first place at 19-1.
Kentucky enters the NCAA Regionals with a 29-4 overall record. The Wildcats won at home in the first and second rounds against Michigan State (3-0) and Oregon (3-0). Kentucky is making its first NCAA Regional appearance since 1992. The Wildcats received an at-large bid out of the SEC, and finished in first in the East Division at 17-3.
Minnesota will be hosting the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2004. That year, the Golden Gophers played host to one of the greatest regional rounds in NCAA Tournament history. In the first match that year, Ohio State rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win in five sets over Tennessee. Minnesota won its Regional Semifinal match that year in five sets over Georgia Tech, despite losing the fourth set 48-46. In the Regional Final, the Golden Gophers rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Ohio State in five sets.
All Session tickets are on sale for $25 for chairbacks, $20 for general admission and $15 for senior or student rates. Tickets can be purchased in person, over the phone at 1-800-UGOPHER or online at gophersports.com.
The Golden Gophers will have the remainder of their NCAA Tournament matches broadcasted at NCAASports.com. Both the of the Regional Semifinal matches will be streamed live at NCAASports.com.
