The WKU Volleyball team is gearing up for its 16th NCAA Tournament appearance and is set to face Coastal Carolina in the opening round on Friday, December 1st. The clash will take place in Knoxville, Tennessee, marking a crucial step in the Hilltoppers’ journey to further solidify their NCAA legacy.
Tournament Schedule:
First Round
- Friday, December 1 – 3:30 p.m. CT | WKU vs. Coastal Carolina
- Friday, December 1 – 5:30 p.m. CT | [12] Tennessee vs. High Point
Second Round
- Friday, December 2 – 5 p.m. CT | Winner vs. Winner of [12] Tennessee/High Point
Ticket Information:
Tickets for the event are available through Tennessee Athletics, offering general admission seating inside the Food City Center. Fans can secure their spots for as low as $5 for a single match, and parking is complimentary for all matches.
Head-to-Head History:
WKU and Coastal Carolina will meet for only the second time in history, with Coastal holding a 1-0 advantage. The last encounter took place in 1995 in Richmond, Va., resulting in a 1-3 loss for WKU.
Coastal Carolina Overview:
The Chanticleers, boasting a 22-9 record (14-2 Sun Belt), secured their spot in the tournament with a strong performance. Coastal Carolina claimed victories over three tournament teams – South Alabama, Texas State, and James Madison – ultimately earning the Sun Belt’s automatic bid as the tournament champion.
Potential Next Steps:
If WKU triumphs against Coastal Carolina, they will face either High Point or the host, [12] Tennessee. High Point finished with a 23-7 record, earning a bid by winning the Big South Tournament with a perfect 14-0 in the regular season. Tennessee, with a 24-4 record (15-3 SEC), is the 12th national seed, concluding the regular season with conference losses to Arkansas, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
NCAA Tournament Legacy:
The Hilltoppers last graced the NCAA Tournament stage in Lexington in 2022, securing an at-large bid. WKU impressively swept Bowling Green in the first round before bowing out to host Kentucky in the regional final.
Since joining Conference USA in 2014, WKU has been a dominant force, securing nine of the possible 10 automatic bids into the NCAA Tournament and clinching the regular-season championship each of those seasons. Notably, WKU is the sole program from Conference USA to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Tournament Timeline:
The First and Second Round play of the 2023 NCAA Tournament is scheduled for Thursday – Saturday, November 30 – December 2, featuring 64 teams. The Regional Semifinals and Regional Finals (Sweet 16 and Elite 8) will unfold on December 8 and 9, with the National Semifinals and National Championship set for December 14 and 17 in Tampa, Florida. As the Hilltoppers set their sights on the NCAA title, the excitement among fans is palpable, and the journey promises thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments.
