Volleyball is an exciting sport with fast-paced action, athletic plays, and energetic crowds. For fans of NCAA women’s volleyball, there are several ways to watch games throughout the season and postseason. With games broadcast on TV, streamed online, or attended in-person, NCAA volleyball is accessible for viewers. Understanding the schedule of matches, television and streaming options, and ticket availability allows fans to catch all of the hard-hitting volleyball action.
NCAA Volleyball Season Schedule
The NCAA volleyball season typically runs from late August through December. Preseason matches and tournaments occur in August leading up to the regular season. Conference play takes place during September and October with teams playing against rivals multiple times. November features conference tournaments to determine seeding for the NCAA tournament. The excitement builds as the 64-team NCAA tournament occurs in December, culminating with the championship match in mid-December.
Key dates for the 2023 NCAA volleyball season include:
- August 26 – Preseason begins
- September 1 – Regular season begins
- November 17-19 – Conference tournaments
- November 27 – NCAA selection show
- November 30 – December 2: NCAA first and second rounds
- December 7-10: NCAA regional semifinals and finals
- December 15 and 17: NCAA semifinals and championship match
The regular season lasts about three months. Conferences and teams play varying numbers of matches, but players compete in dozens of exciting contests throughout the fall. The season culminates with the drama of March Madness-style NCAA tournament brackets.
How to Watch on TV
Many NCAA volleyball matches broadcast live on TV throughout the season. This provides fans with opportunities to watch top teams and players compete in games from the comfort of home.
ESPN networks air dozens of NCAA volleyball matches every season. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN News all feature live games. ESPN’s family of networks televise matches from major conferences during the regular season. Once the NCAA tournament begins in December, ESPN provides extensive coverage of the postseason as well.
Other sports networks also get in on broadcasting live NCAA volleyball. The Big Ten Network airs matches featuring Big Ten teams. The Pac-12 Network shows games with Pac-12 schools involved. CBS Sports Network televises a number of NCAA volleyball matches too. Local sports networks associated with individual schools sometimes broadcast school games as well.
Consulting TV listings, network schedules, or school athletic websites allows fans to find upcoming televised NCAA volleyball matches. With many games on TV throughout the season, viewers have opportunities to watch NCAA volleyball.
Streaming NCAA Volleyball Online
In addition to TV, fans can also stream live NCAA volleyball matches online. Sports streaming services and school athletic websites provide access to broadcasts over the internet.
One popular option is to use ESPN’s streaming platform, ESPN+. With an ESPN+ subscription, viewers can stream hundreds of live NCAA volleyball games during the season. ESPN+ shows matches not featured on ESPN’s TV channels, greatly expanding the number of contests available to watch online.
Several sports streaming services also include some NCAA volleyball matches as part of their packages. FuboTV, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV offer some live NCAA volleyball depending on channel packages and availability. These services generally include access to ESPN’s family of networks.
For specific schools, check their athletic department website for game streaming options. Many colleges provide live streams or video broadcasts of school matches through their own platforms. These school streams allow fans to watch the team play all season long online.
Between ESPN+, sports streaming services, and school athletic websites, NCAA volleyball can be streamed conveniently online. Fans can watch on their laptop, phone, tablet, smart TV, or other connected device with an internet connection.
Watching in Person
The most exciting way to experience NCAA volleyball is to watch live in-person. Attending matches allows fans to catch the intense action up close and feel the energy inside the arena.
Most colleges have general admission or affordable ticket options for fans who want to go to games. Reserved tickets, season ticket packages, or single-game passes allow entry. Typically volleyball tickets cost between $5-$20 per match depending on the school and seat location.
Big rivalry games, senior night festivities, and conference or NCAA tournament matches often draw larger crowds. These tend to be the most thrilling atmospheres with enthusiastic fans cheering raucously for their team. Savvy fans look for promotions or deals like student discounts to get into these top contests.
Attending NCAA volleyball matches makes for memorable and lively experiences. Arrive early to enjoy school spirit and traditions like the team entrance. Watching rallies and kills up close and celebrating with other cheering fans creates an unbeatable game day environment.
TV Channels and Streaming
Here are some of the main television and online streaming options for watching NCAA volleyball:
Network | TV Channel | Streaming Platform |
---|---|---|
ESPN | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN News | ESPN+ |
CBS Sports Network | CBS Sports Network channel | None |
Big Ten Network | Big Ten Network channel | None |
Pac-12 Network | Pac-12 Network channel | Pac-12 Live app |
School athletic websites | Local sports networks | School streaming platforms |
The primary sources for televised NCAA volleyball are ESPN networks like ESPN2 and ESPNU. For streaming, ESPN+ provides the most robust lineup of live NCAA volleyball matches. School athletic websites offer streaming options for following specific college teams.
Sports Streaming Services
In addition to the streaming platforms listed above, these popular sports streaming subscriptions include some live NCAA volleyball coverage:
- FuboTV
- Hulu + Live TV
- Sling TV
- YouTube TV
The amount of NCAA volleyball available on these services varies based on channel packages and programming options. They generally provide access to ESPN’s family of networks. FuboTV in particular emphasizes sports content. Check individual channel lineups to confirm if NCAA volleyball will be included in a particular subscription package.
Following Specific Conferences and Teams
Fans looking to watch specific conferences and teams have several options to catch all the action.
Major Conferences
Big Ten
The Big Ten conference features elite NCAA volleyball programs. With perennial powers like Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, the Big Ten is must-see volleyball. Catch conference action on Big Ten Network or stream through Fox Sports apps.
Pac-12
Stanford, Washington, and UCLA are consistently top contenders from the Pac-12. Tune into Pac-12 Network or use the Pac-12 Live app to watch this competitive West Coast conference.
SEC
Led by the volleyball powerhouse Kentucky Wildcats, the SEC continues to grow in volleyball prominence. The SEC Network and ESPN platforms carry many of these southern volleyball matches.
ACC
Pittsburgh, Louisville, and Georgia Tech lead the way for Atlantic Coast Conference volleyball. The ACC Network is the go-to place to watch ACC volleyball action.
Notable Programs
In addition to following major conferences, fans may want to watch specific successful volleyball programs like:
- Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- Texas
- Penn State
- Stanford
- Minnesota
- Kentucky
- Washington
- BYU
- Illinois
- Florida
- UCLA
These historically top-ranked teams compete for national championships year after year. Catch their regular season games on TV or streaming, and see them make deep NCAA tournament runs.
Follow any exciting NCAA volleyball team through watching games on television, online, or in-person. Consider attending a local match or traveling to catch a top program playing at home. With many viewing options available, fans have lots of ways to watch and enjoy NCAA volleyball.
Tips for Enjoying NCAA Volleyball
Here are some top tips for getting the most out of watching NCAA volleyball:
Learn the Rules
Knowing volleyball rules helps appreciate nuances like rotations, substitutions and back-row attacks. Understanding fundamentals like points scoring, letting serves hit the net, and players contacting the ball makes following the action easier.
Study Team Rosters
Get familiar with player names and positions. Top players to know include outside hitters slamming kills, middle blockers soaring for stuffs, setters directing play, and scrappy liberos digging balls. Understanding roster lineups enhances enjoyment.
Track Statistics
Noting stats like kills, blocks, aces and digs lets fans analyze individual and team performances. Counting exciting plays like back-to-back points and extended rallies shows momentum shifts during play.
Watch Momentum
Volleyball frequently features quick runs that change game dynamics. Cheer big kills earning points and defensive stops generating energy. Notice how both teams handle momentum and respond to pressure.
Get Loud
When attending live, cheer loudly for great plays by your team! Volleyball venues become electric through fans making noise, chanting, stomping their feet and generally boosting their team.
Enjoy the Community
Join in the fun alongside fellow fans. Meet friends or family to watch big games together. Connect with other supporters through shared excitement and volleyball passion.
Key NCAA Volleyball Positions
Understanding the roles of the six rotating volleyball positions enhances enjoyment of the fast-paced game action:
Setter
The quarterback of the team runs each offensive play. Responsible for precise passes setting up hitters to attack the ball over the net for kills. Crafty playmaking helps the team maximize scoring.
Outside Hitter
Primary attacking option aims for kills from the edges of the court. Go-to hitter receives many sets and tallies high point totals from slamming the ball down.
Middle Blocker
Central net defender using height and positioning to stuff blocks. Rotates across the front row to hit quick sets in the middle when not blocking.
Opposite Hitter
Powerful hitter stationed on the right side across from the outside. Attacks from the weak side and complements the main options on offense.
Libero
Defensive specialist focused on digs and passes. Does not rotate to attack or block. Excellent ball control skills and back-row range.
Defensive Specialist
Substituted in for specific defensive purposes. Skilled digger or passer boosting back-row play when entering games situationally.
Top NCAA Volleyball Programs
The most successful college volleyball teams with the most national championships and numerous Final Four appearances include:
School | National Titles | NCAA Championship Appearances |
---|---|---|
Stanford | 8 | 17 |
Penn State | 7 | 15 |
Nebraska | 5 | 16 |
UCLA | 4 | 10 |
Hawaii | 3 | 7 |
Stanford, Penn State, Nebraska and UCLA are consistent volleyball powers. Hawaii has also historically been strong. These leading programs frequently contend for national titles.
Additional Top Teams
Beyond the very top championship-winning schools, other colleges with strong recent volleyball resumes include:
- Wisconsin
- Texas
- Minnesota
- Illinois
- Washington
- BYU
- Kentucky
- Florida
Fans are sure to see exciting volleyball by tuning in to matches featuring these competitive programs.
Notable NCAA Volleyball Rivalries
Passionate rivalries add extra excitement to NCAA volleyball. Intense conference matchups and regional battles often feature close, competitive play between foes.
Nebraska vs Wisconsin
This Big Ten clash pits top midwestern powers against each other. Nebraska and Wisconsin constantly battle for conference supremacy and national rankings. Their raucous head-to-head matches impact NCAA tournament seeding.
Stanford vs USC
The California rivals square off in huge Pac-12 matches. Stanford’s disciplined play clashes with USC’s lively athleticism for west coast bragging rights. The Cardinal and Trojans meet twice annually.
Penn State vs Minnesota
Two volleyball heavyweights battle in Big Ten play. Penn State boasts seven national titles while Minnesota is a rising force. Their regular season and conference tournament meetings draw massive attention.
Florida vs Georgia
An energetic SEC rivalry with schools located just 340 miles apart. Florida and Georgia play closely contested matches as the conference continues improving in volleyball.
BYU vs Utah
These bitter in-state foes grind through intense Mountain Rim clashes. BYU and Utah attract packed partisan crowds when they clash in nail-biting five-set thrillers.
NCAA Volleyball Tournament Format
The NCAA volleyball postseason uses a 64-team bracket single-elimination format leading to the championship match.
Selection Process
Thirty-two conferences receive automatic qualification for winning their league postseason tournaments. The remaining 32 at-large bids go to top teams ranked highly in RPI ratings. The selection committee seeds the full 64-team field.
Regional Rounds
Early rounds take place on campus sites at higher seeded schools. The top 16 seeds host the first and second rounds after receiving byes. Winners advance to regional rounds at neutral predetermined sites.
Final Four
The exciting national semifinals and championship match take place in a single city. The Final Four features the four regional champions competing on back-to-back nights to crown the NCAA volleyball national champions.
Conclusion
NCAA women’s volleyball offers thrilling action for fans to enjoy all season long. With many games televised or streamed online, following top teams and conferences is accessible even from afar. Attending a lively match in-person provides a great gameday experience. By understanding teams, positions, rules and the postseason format, viewers appreciate and enjoy NCAA volleyball even more. The talented players and intense competition on display will excite any volleyball fan.