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All the conference tournament matches are completed and now it’s time to wait for Selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament field to be revealed.
Off the Block has crunched the numbers using the same criteria as the selection committee to show how the top teams in the nation fare against each other in the race for the two at-large bids and NCAA Tournament seeding.
Below is an excerpt from the NCAA handbook on the primary criteria the three-person volleyball selection committee will use determines the at-large team and seeding for the NCAA Tournament.
Automatic qualifiers will be determined by a method selected by each conference office. The remaining at-large team will be selected using the following criteria (in no priority order):
– Won-lost results;
– Head-to-head competition;
– Results versus non-conference opponents;
– Home and away results;
– Results against common opponents;
– Results against teams already qualified and other teams under consideration; and
– Eligibility and availability of student-athletes for NCAA championships.
The selection committee does not consider match results against NAIA teams. Only matches against NCAA teams factors into the criteria.
Along with this criteria, selection committee chairman Ron Shayka said in an interview with Off the Block on Friday that the three-person committee would factor in strength of schedule with each of the eight pieces of criteria.
This season the selection committee will have the additional task of filling out a tournament field that expanded from four teams to six teams. The six-teams will include four conference automatic qualifiers and two at-large bids
[Editor’s note: Teams projected to qualify or be under consideration are Loyola, BYU, Pepperdine, UC Santa Barbara, Stanford, Lewis, Ball State, Penn State and Erskine.]
At-large bid (Pepperdine vs. Stanford)
Strength of schedule: Stanford with more quality non-conference matches Edge: Stanford
Won-lost results: Pepperdine 19-7; Stanford 22-8. Edge: Stanford
Head-to-head competition: Stanford leads season series 3-0. Edge: Stanford
Non-conference record: Pepperdine 0-0; Stanford 3-0. Edge: Stanford
Home record: Pepperdine 12-2; Stanford 13-3. Edge: Pepperdine
Road record: Pepperdine 7-4; Stanford 7-5. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. common opponents: Pepperdine 19-4; Stanford 17-8. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Pepperdine 2-5; Stanford 5-4. Edge: Stanford
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Stanford
At-large bid (Pepperdine vs. Lewis)
Strength of schedule: Pepperdine with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: Pepperdine
Won-lost results: Pepperdine 19-7; Lewis 22-7. Edge: Lewis
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Pepperdine 0-0; Lewis 9-3. Edge: Lewis
Home record: Pepperdine 12-2; Lewis 15-3. Edge: Lewis
Road record: Pepperdine 7-4; Lewis 7-4. Edge: Push
Record vs. common opponents: Pepperdine 4-4; Lewis 2-2. Edge: Push
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Pepperdine 2-5; Lewis 5-5. Edge: Lewis
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Pepperdine (based on strength of schedule)
At-large bid (Stanford vs. Lewis)
Strength of schedule: Stanford with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: Stanford
Won-lost results: Stanford 22-8; Lewis 22-7. Edge: Lewis
Head-to-head competition: Stanford won season series 1-0. Edge: Stanford
Non-conference record: Stanford 3-0; Lewis 9-3. Edge: Stanford
Home record: Stanford 13-3; Lewis 15-3. Edge: Lewis
Road record: Stanford 7-5; Lewis 7-4. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: Stanford 6-3; Lewis 5-1. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Stanford 5-4; Lewis 5-5. Edge: Stanford
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Stanford (based on strength of schedule)
At-large bid (UC Santa Barbara vs. Pepperdine)
Strength of schedule: Played same amount of matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: Push
Won-lost results: UC Santa Barbara 18-9; Pepperdine 19-7. Edge: Pepperdine
Head-to-head competition: Season series tied at 1-1. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: UC Santa Barbara 1-0; Pepperdine 0-0. Edge: UC Santa Barbara
Home record: UC Santa Barbara 13-2; Pepperdine 12-2. Edge: UC Santa Barbara
Road record: UC Santa Barbara 5-7; Pepperdine 7-4. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. common opponents: UC Santa Barbara 17-8; Pepperdine 18-6. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Santa Barbara 3-4; Pepperdine 2-5. Edge: UC Santa Barbara
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Pepperdine
At-large bid (UC Santa Barbara vs. Stanford)
Strength of schedule: Stanford with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: Stanford
Won-lost results: UC Santa Barbara 18-9; Stanford 22-8. Edge: Stanford
Head-to-head competition: Season series tied at 1-1. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: UC Santa Barbara 1-0; Stanford 3-0. Edge: Push
Home record: UC Santa Barbara 13-2; Stanford 13-3. Edge: UC Santa Barbara
Road record: UC Santa Barbara 5-7; Stanford 7-5. Edge: Stanford
Record vs. common opponents: UC Santa Barbara 17-8; Stanford 19-7. Edge: Stanford
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Santa Barbara 3-4; Stanford 5-4. Edge: Stanford
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Stanford
POTENTIAL NCAA TOURNAMENT SEEDING BATTLES
Seeding match-up (Loyola vs. BYU)
Strength of schedule: BYU with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: BYU
Won-lost results: Loyola 27-1; BYU 21-8. Edge: Loyola
Head-to-head competition: Loyola won season series 1-0. Edge: Loyola
Non-conference record: Loyola 10-1; BYU 0-2. Edge: Loyola
Home record: Loyola 17-1; BYU 14-0. Edge: BYU
Road record: Loyola 10-0; BYU 7-8. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 4-1; BYU 5-1. Edge: BYU
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 8-0; BYU 6-4. Edge: Loyola
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Loyola
Seeding match-up (Loyola vs. Penn State)
Strength of schedule: Loyola with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: Loyola
Won-lost results: Loyola 27-1; Penn State 24-6. Edge: Loyola
Head-to-head competition: Loyola won season series 1-0. Edge: Loyola
Non-conference record: Loyola 10-1; Penn State 9-5. Edge: Loyola
Home record: Loyola 17-1; Penn State 15-0. Edge: Penn State
Road record: Loyola 10-0; Penn State 7-5. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 16-0; Penn State 16-1. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 8-0; Penn State 3-1. Edge: Loyola
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Loyola
Seeding match-up (Loyola vs. Pepperdine)
Strength of schedule: Pepperdine with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: Pepperdine
Won-lost results: Loyola 27-1; Pepperdine 20-6. Edge: Loyola
Head-to-head competition: Did not play this season. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Loyola 10-1; Pepperdine 0-0. Edge: Loyola
Home record: Loyola 17-1; Pepperdine 12-2. Edge: Loyola
Road record: Loyola 10-0; Pepperdine 7-4. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 2-1; Pepperdine 4-2. Edge: Push
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 8-0; Pepperdine 2-5. Edge: Loyola
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Loyola
Seeding match-up (Loyola vs. Stanford)
Strength of schedule: Stanford with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: Stanford
Won-lost results: Loyola 27-1; Stanford 22-8. Edge: Loyola
Head-to-head competition: Did not play this season. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Loyola 10-1; Stanford 3-0. Edge: Stanford
Home record: Loyola 17-1; Stanford 13-3. Edge: Loyola
Road record: Loyola 10-0; Stanford 7-5. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 7-1; Stanford 7-3. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 8-0; Stanford 5-4. Edge: Loyola
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Loyola
Seeding match-up (BYU vs. Pepperdine)
Strength of schedule: BYU with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: BYU
Won-lost results: BYU 21-8; Pepperdine 19-7. Edge: Pepperdine
Head-to-head competition: Season series tied 1-1. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: BYU 0-2; Pepperdine 0-0. Edge: Push
Home record: BYU 14-0; Pepperdine 12-2. Edge: BYU
Road record: BYU 7-8; Pepperdine 7-4. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. common opponents: BYU 20-5; Pepperdine 18-6. Edge: BYU
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: BYU 6-4; Pepperdine 2-5. Edge: BYU
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: BYU
Seeding match-up (BYU vs. Stanford)
Strength of schedule: Played same amount of matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: Push
Won-lost results: BYU 21-8; Stanford 22-8. Edge: Stanford
Head-to-head competition: BYU won season series 3-0. Edge: BYU
Non-conference record: BYU 0-2; Stanford 3-0. Edge: Stanford
Home record: BYU 14-0; Stanford 13-3. Edge: BYU
Road record: BYU 7-8; Stanford 7-5. Edge: Stanford
Record vs. common opponents: BYU 17-7; Stanford 20-5. Edge: Stanford
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: BYU 6-4; Stanford 5-4. Edge: BYU
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: BYU (based on head-to-head results)
Seeding match-up (BYU vs. Penn State)
Strength of schedule: BYU with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: BYU
Won-lost results: BYU 21-8; Penn State 24-6. Edge: Penn State
Head-to-head competition: Did not play this season. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: BYU 0-2; Penn State 9-5. Edge: Penn State
Home record: BYU 14-0; Penn State 15-0. Edge: Push
Road record: BYU 7-8; Penn State 7-5. Edge: Penn State
Record vs. common opponents: BYU 4-6; Penn State 2-4. Edge: BYU
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: BYU 6-4; Penn State 3-1. Edge: Penn State
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: BYU (based on strength of schedule)
Seeding match-up (Penn State vs. Pepperdine)
Strength of schedule: Pepperdine with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: Pepperdine
Won-lost results: Penn State 24-6; Pepperdine 20-6. Edge: Penn State
Head-to-head competition: Did not play this season. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Penn State 9-5; Pepperdine 0-0. Edge: Penn State
Home record: Penn State 15-0; Pepperdine 12-2. Edge: Penn State
Road record: Penn State 7-5; Pepperdine 7-4. Edge: Penn State
Record vs. common opponents: Penn State 1-3; Pepperdine 8-1. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Penn State 3-1; Pepperdine 2-5. Edge: Penn State
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Pepperdine (based on strength of schedule)
Seeding match-up (Penn State vs. Stanford)
Strength of schedule: Stanford with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: Stanford
Won-lost results: Penn State 24-6; Stanford 22-8. Edge: Penn State
Head-to-head competition: Did not play this season. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Penn State 9-5; Stanford 3-0. Edge: Stanford
Home record: Penn State 15-0; Stanford 13-3. Edge: Penn State
Road record: Penn State 7-5; Stanford 7-5. Edge: Push
Record vs. common opponents: Penn State 2-3; Stanford 4-4. Edge: Stanford
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Penn State 3-1; Stanford 5-4. Edge: Penn State
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Stanford (based on strength of schedule)
Seeding match-up (Penn State vs. Erskine)
Strength of schedule: Penn State with more matches vs. nationally ranked teams. Edge: Penn State
Won-lost results: Penn State 24-6; Erskine 20-6. Edge: Penn State
Head-to-head competition: Penn State won season series 1-0. Edge: Penn State
Non-conference record: Penn State 9-5; Erskine 5-4. Edge: Penn State
Home record: Penn State 15-0; Erskine 9-2. Edge: Penn State
Road record: Penn State 7-5; Erskine 8-4. Edge: Erskine
Record vs. common opponents: Penn State 8-1; Erskine 5-5. Edge: Penn State
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Penn State 3-1; Erskine 0-3. Edge: Penn State
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Penn State