Volleyball Today: NCAA Round of 16 Set and Kloth-Nuss Strike Gold in Doha

The NCAA volleyball tournament has reached its electrifying round of 16, and the competition is heating up. The SEC and Big Ten have taken center stage, with each conference boasting five teams still in contention. Meanwhile, ACC, Big East, and Atlantic 10 representatives round out the lineup, promising a mix of powerhouse programs and potential Cinderella stories.

As if the NCAA action wasn’t enough, Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss delivered a golden performance on the sands of Doha, claiming the Volleyball World Pro Beach Tour Finals title and splitting a hefty $150,000 prize. Let’s break down the latest in volleyball, both indoors and on the beach.

The NCAA Sweet 16 Picture

It’s no surprise that the Big Ten continues to dominate the postseason narrative, with Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Oregon marching confidently into the third round. The SEC, however, has stolen the spotlight with upsets that showcase the conference’s depth. Florida and Texas A&M joined Kentucky, Missouri, and first-year member Texas, proving that the SEC is far more than football glory.

The ACC’s trio of Pittsburgh, Louisville, and Stanford also made it through, but not without drama. Louisville scraped by Northern Iowa in a nail-biting five-set marathon, while Stanford put on a clinic against Loyola Marymount with a scorching .535 hitting percentage. Creighton and Marquette are carrying the Big East banner, and Dayton’s Atlantic 10 squad has shown they’re not here to play it safe.

Here’s the updated Sweet 16 schedule (all times Eastern):

Thursday (at Pittsburgh):
1 p.m. — Missouri vs. Kentucky
1 p.m. — Oregon vs. Pittsburgh

Thursday (at Louisville):
7 p.m. — Florida vs. Stanford
7 p.m. — Purdue vs. Louisville

Friday (at Penn State):
1 p.m. — Texas vs. Creighton
1 p.m. — Marquette vs. Penn State

Friday (at Nebraska):
7 p.m. — Texas A&M vs. Wisconsin
7 p.m. — Dayton vs. Nebraska

Saturday Recap: Survive and Advance

Louisville’s 27-5 squad lived up to the “survive and advance” mantra, narrowly avoiding an early exit in their five-set clash with Northern Iowa. The Cardinals clawed their way back from the brink with a thrilling 22-20 fifth-set win, powered by Anna DeBeer’s clutch six kills in the final set and Cara Cresse’s career-high 14 blocks. Northern Iowa, champions of the Missouri Valley Conference, gave Louisville everything they had, but the Cardinals’ home crowd proved to be the extra boost they needed.

Florida added their name to the upset list with a gutsy 3-2 win over Kansas. Kennedy Martin was the hero of the day, hammering down a career-high 33 kills, including the match-clinching spike in the fifth set. The Gators’ sixth seed in the Louisville regional feels like a misnomer, especially with Martin averaging 5.58 kills per set this season.

Meanwhile, Texas A&M stunned Arizona State in the Nebraska regional. The Aggies delivered a 3-1 victory over the third-seeded Sun Devils, snapping ASU’s 18-match win streak. Logan Lednicky was unstoppable, racking up 27 kills with a .500 hitting percentage, proving that the Aggies are a force to be reckoned with.

Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Stanford Shine

Penn State held off ACC contender North Carolina in four sets, fueled by Jess Mruzik’s 21 kills and stellar blocking. The Nittany Lions are now set to host the next round, where they’ll look to keep their championship hopes alive against Marquette.

Pittsburgh showed why they’re one of the favorites, cruising past Oklahoma in straight sets for their 16th consecutive win. The Panthers’ depth and poise will be tested as they face a high-powered Oregon squad in the next round.

Stanford, on the other hand, turned their matchup into a highlight reel. The Cardinals dismantled Loyola Marymount in three sets, with Elia Rubin leading the charge. Rubin’s 15 kills on .577 hitting underscored Stanford’s dominance, as they move forward to face Florida in what promises to be a blockbuster clash.

Beach Volleyball Gold: Kloth and Nuss Triumph

On the international stage, Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss continued their reign as one of the world’s top beach volleyball duos. The former LSU teammates defended their Volleyball World Pro Beach Tour Finals title with a straight-sets victory over fellow Americans Terese Cannon and Meghan Kraft in Doha.

Kloth and Nuss, known for their relentless defense and electrifying chemistry, walked away with $150,000 in prize money. Cannon and Kraft, the NCAA champs out of USC, earned $80,000 as runners-up. The match highlighted the depth of talent in American beach volleyball, with former NCAA standouts proving they can shine on the global stage.

What’s Next

The NCAA tournament promises more drama as the Sweet 16 unfolds. Can the SEC maintain its momentum against heavyweights from the Big Ten and ACC? Will Louisville’s near-miss fuel their push for the Final Four? And is there another upset brewing in Nebraska or Penn State’s regions?

Meanwhile, on the beach, Kloth and Nuss have solidified their status as the queens of international play, setting the bar high for the next generation of American duos.

Whether you’re glued to the court or the sand, one thing is clear: volleyball is delivering the goods, and we’re here for every spike, set, and dig.