On selection Sunday exactly one
year ago, the Washington Huskies
learned they were not one of the NCAA’s 16 seeded teams in the 64-team tournament. But under rules no longer
in effect this season, they played host to what was universally considered the
toughest of the four brackets, forced to face formidable teams like Hawai’i, Nebraska and California, among others. The Huskies responded,
upsetting both the Rainbow Warriors and the Cornhuskers, before losing to
eventual national runner-up Cal one match short of the Final Four.
This afternoon, the Huskies
learned once again they were not among the chosen 16 seeds. But they did not
seem unhappy to be heading to Minneapolis,
where they will face unranked Western
Michigan of the Mid-American
Conference. The Broncos finished second in the MAC West Conference (13-4)
and were upset in the first round of the MAC tournament by Central Michigan. Western Michigan has a 26-8 overall record.
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| Washington players react to the announcement of their NCAA seeding [Volleyblog Seattle video screen grab] |
The winner of Friday’s
Washington/Western Michigan match takes on the winner of Minnesota/North Dakota State
on Minnesota’s home court. The winner of that second round match advances to
the Sweet 16, also in Minnesota.
“I think we have a pretty good
bracket,” said Washington’s Bianca
Rowland. “It’s not an easy bracket, but it’s definitely a good route to go.”
“I went to Minnesota for the
Sweet 16 my sophomore year,” said senior setter Evan Sanders, who played for Colorado
State in 2009. “I liked the gym, I liked the atmosphere, it’s a good place
to play.”
“It’s a good city,” agreed senior
Lauren Barfield. “It’s not too far
ahead in time zones. So I don’t think that’ll be a huge adjustment.”
Sanders pointed out that the
winner of this weekend’s bracket will be able to stay in Minneapolis, and might
therefore have a leg up against the other three teams travelling to Minnesota
for the Sweet 16. “It could be an advantage,” she said.
The Huskies watched ESPNU’s
Selection Sunday show in the bowels of Hec Ed Pavilion. Washington’s sub-bracket
was the fourth of eight to be revealed. Several Huskies—Gabbi Parker, Kelly Holford
and Krista Vansant—let out an
excited WHOOP when they saw their assignment. Moments later, head coach Jim McLaughlin slipped out of the room.
“I left once I knew where we
were gonna be,” said McLaughlin. “I got (Western Michigan’s) stats and
schedule. We’ll start the plan, start gathering the information.”
McLaughlin was not watching ESPNU
when USC coach Mick Haley made it clear that top coaches are generally unhappy
with the NCAA Selection Committee’s recent seeding of Pac-12 schools. Haley’s comments could be interpreted as support
for related statements McLaughlin made earlier this week.
“Mick’s been around a long
time,” said McLaughlin after hearing a transcript of Haley’s ESPNU comments. “I’ve
always respected his opinion.”
“I came into the Pac-10 conference
to play all these great teams,” he continued. “I just want to know what we need
to do objectively to get the best seed we can get. I want to know. I know the
committee has a tough job, their job is not easy. I just want to know what the criteria
are and then I’ll follow it, to a ‘T.’”
But McLaughlin made it clear he
doesn’t want to talk about the selection process for at least the next three
weeks. “Once you’re into the tournament,” he said, “your thoughts have to serve
you well. I can turn it (seeding issues) off pretty quick when I have to start
our preparation.”
“Everybody in the tournament is
good. I’m excited, because it’s the tournament and it’s the best part of the
year. So we’ll prepare, and we’ll be ready to go.”
