From Bubble Team to Automatic Qualifier
Last year, the University of San Diego was on the “bubble,” desperately hoping for one of just 33 at-large bids to the 64-team NCAA Division 1 volleyball tournament. On Selection Sunday in 2024, the Toreros (then 19-9, 14-4 WCC) gathered together only to learn they were the first team out. In other words, their resume was strong enough to place them among the nation’s top programs, but, by the committee’s estimation, still just shy of cracking the top 64.
This Sunday, when ESPN hosts the NCAA Volleyball Selection Show at 3 p.m. PT, the Toreros won’t be waiting and wondering and hoping to get a bid. They crossed that threshold on Nov. 20 by winning their regular-season conference title with a sweep of conference No. 2 Pepperdine. With the title, they earned an automatic bid into the tournament, and, in a fortunate turn of events from 2024, the 2025 USD team (24-4, 17-0 WCC) was the first team in the nation to earn a bid.
Last year, first team out. This year, first team in.
What a difference a year makes.
Tournament Selection
Tournament selections work like this.
Automatic bids go to the 31 conference champions. Twenty-seven conferences determine their champion through a tournament. Four, including the West Coast Conference (where USD plays), Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, and Big Twelve, award their automatic bid to the regular-season champion. These four conferences do not host a tournament.
The remaining 33 at-large bids are chosen by the NCAA selection committee based on several factors. They include win-loss record, strength of schedule, Rating Percentage Index (RPI), head-to-head competition, and more (at the end of the article, see the entire list).
With their automatic bid secured, the Toreros won’t be wondering whether they are in. Instead, they will learn where they land in the bracket. They have made the case to earn an eight seed.
NCAA Seeding
For those new to NCAA tournaments, instead of seeding teams 1-64, the NCAA divides the bracket into four regions of 16 teams each. For each region, there is a No. 1 seed, No. 2 seed, and so on. So, the top four of the 64 teams earn a No. 1 seed. The next four (fifth through eighth-ranked) teams earn a No. 2 seed, and so on. A team seeded eighth in a region is effectively ranked 29th–32nd nationally.
USD has a legitimate argument for one of those No. 8 seeds. Here’s why.
They are one of only 14 teams who have lost four or fewer games, and 10 of those teams are in the top 25 of the RPI.
Their RPI is a solid 29.
They defeated five teams in the top 50 of the RPI, with their best win a neutral-floor five-set contest against RPI No. 32 Utah State.
Three of the team’s losses were to RPI No. 6 Creighton, No. 15 USC, and No. 51 UC Santa Barbara. Against USC, the Toreros were up 14-11 in the fifth and had three match points before succumbing 16-14 in a five-set thriller. In every one of their losses, they won at least one set.
According to MasseyRatings.com, they have an overall strength rating of 20 and a power rating of 26 among 348 teams playing NCAA Division 1 volleyball.
They have won ten matches 3-0, and when matches have gone the distance, their record is exceptional, at 10-2 in five-setters on the season.
Considering the many positives, they have made the case to get an eight seed and NCAA volleyball writer Michella Chesters agrees.
The One Caveat
The committee will also consider the team’s only “bad” loss, to RPI No. 272 UC San Diego. Playing without their star setter Kylie Munday, the Toreros still managed a match point, but could not close out the five-set match. The loss was early in the season and so the committee will have to take into account timing and context. Tune into ESPN at 3 p.m. PT on Sunday to learn USD’s seed and opponent.
Senior “Night” Tomorrow and a Chance at Perfection
The Toreros play their final game of the regular season at the Jenny Craig Pavilion (JCP) at noon tomorrow against RPI No. 211 Gonzaga (14-14, 7-10 WCC) on senior night.
A win will give the Toreros a perfect conference season, a fitting way to enter the NCAA tournament.
“It’s the last home game for our seniors in the JCP, and that’s a special moment for them,” said head coach Jennifer Petrie. “You know, we want to be undefeated, but we also want to prepare to play good volleyball going into the tournament. So there’s a lot that we need to work on to get to Saturday. But I think that these girls know what’s at stake, and they’re excited to work.”
The Zags were swept in their last three of four matches. Sjakkie Donkers leads GU in kills on the season with 411 and is the only player with more than 200.
USD counters with three players with 200 or more kills, led by outside hitters Nemo Beach (454) and Isabel Clark (369), and middle blocker Kali Engeman (223).
In a pre-game ceremony on Saturday, the Toreros will honor their five seniors. Two of them, Kali Engeman and Olivia Bennett, shared a few thoughts with HSSD:
Our motto this year has been, “Leave no doubt.”
Bennett then shared that the Toreros have adopted a mindset that allowed them to approach each match with trust and confidence in each other, their ability to win matches, and their training.
…We are excited to go to the tournament again, just make a deep run.
-Libero Olivia Bennett, Senior
Tomorrow’s game is the final opportunity this season to watch the Toreros at home at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Sat. Nov 29 | 12 p.m. PT | v. Gonzaga | Jenny Craig Pavilion | Senior Night | Get Tickets
Selection Criteria from NCAA.org
The following criteria shall be employed by a governing sports committee in selecting participants for NCAA championships competition [Bylaw 31.3.3; Criteria for Selection of Participants]:
● Won-lost record;
● Strength of schedule; and
● Eligibility and availability of student-athletes for NCAA championships.
In addition to Bylaw 31.3.3, the Women’s Volleyball Committee has received approval from the NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee to consider the following criteria in the selection of at-large teams for the volleyball championship (not necessarily in priority order):
Primary Criteria
● Rating Percentage Index.
● Head-to-head competition.
● Results versus common opponents.
● Significant wins and losses.
● KPI.
Secondary Criteria
If the evaluation of the primary criteria does not result in a decision, the secondary criteria will be reviewed. All the criteria listed will be evaluated.
● Late-season performance (last 10 matches).
● Eligibility and availability of student-athletes.
● Location of contest.
Additionally, input is provided by regional advisory committees for consideration by the Women’s Volleyball Committee.