Ladies and gents, your Final 4

The quarterfinals are done at the National Championship Tournament. What did I learn today? • I learned that quarterfinal matches can actually be interesting. For several years the quarters have been yawners. Not today, when we got some good competition (thanks for winning the New York Regional, South Region resident Christopher Newport!). • I learned that top teams can win despite playing at far less than their best (you used your mulligan for this tournament, Hope). • I learned that a traditional power is back to playing like one (we’ll assume the UAA tourney final is behind you, Wash U). • I learned that switches were packed in the luggage (UW Oshkosh’s Jekyll is as good as its Hyde is subpar). • I learned that the AVCA rankings are spot-on, at least for one day (No. 1 Juniata looked the best, No. 2 Oshkosh looked a step below that, followed by No. 4 Wash U and No. 6 Hope).

Here are tomorrow’s semifinal matchups: No. 4 Washington vs. No. 6 Hope @ 3:30 (central) No. 1 Juniata vs. No. 2 UW Oshkosh @ 6 (central)

Find links to webcasts and live stats at the link above. I think the UWO student radio station will have a call of the nightcap. Check here to find out for sure. Should be two dandies. Can’t wait to see what I learn tomorrow.

-Ricky Nelson