USD volleyball earns NCAA berth

11-27-2005

University of San Diego's women's volleyball received an at-large entry into the NCAA Tournament and opens sub-regional play Thursday against Long Beach State at UCLA.

It's the fourth straight NCAA bid and 10th since 1993 for the Toreros, who advanced to the Sweet 16 last year under coach Jennifer Petrie as the West Coast Conference champion.

USD finished the regular season with a 22-5 record, which included a non-conference win over Long Beach State (22-5). Match times have yet to be announced. The winner of the USD-LBSU match advances to face the winner of the match between 12th-seeded and regional host UCLA (18-10) and at-large pick Kansas (15-14) of the Big 12.

USD struggled through a midseason slump after losing Kristen Carlson to a midseason knee injury, but the deep lineup with three first-team All-WCC choices finished the season strongly. The first-team picks were setter Lindsey Sherburne, a third-team All-American last year, defender Jackie Bernardin and outside hitter Christie Dawson. Bernardin was named the WCC Defender of the Year for the third straight season.

Defending national champion Nebraska, with a linedup that includes Bonita Vista High alumnus Jennifer Saleamua, earned the No. 1 seed and opens play against Alabama A&M.