NCAA | What we learned from the 2012 Final Four

Lessons from Louisville for next year’s host: Seattle

We’re back from 12 days in the Midwest, soaking up Sweet 16/Elite 8 volleyball in Omaha, the Final Four in Louisville, with a few days in Chicago in between. Here’s what we learned:

How did Washington beat Oregon?

Washington Coach Jim McLaughlin could barely contain a big grin. Win or lose, McLaughlin is usually understated and unemotional when he answers reporters’ post-match questions. But after his team fought off Oregon in three high-volume sets, he was close to giddy.

“That team (Oregon) is GOOD,” he said, more than once. “But we had good composure and aggressiveness, and we were good at big times when we had to be.”

Washington Huskies celebrate a point during the third set against Oregon

[Volleyblog photo by Leslie Hamann]

The Huskies won 3-0, but it could have easily been 1-2 in favor of the Ducks after the first three nailbiter sets. So what made the difference?