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Bruins begin battle for another title

By Daily Bruin Staff

April 29, 1997 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 4/30/97 Bruins begin battle for another title Tough
competition awaits against No. 2 Penn State

By Jennifer Kollenborn Daily Bruin Contributor The battle for
the 1997 men’s volleyball NCAA crown begins tomorrow at Ohio State
in the St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Semifinal matches are set
for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m, May 1 and the championship match is scheduled
for 1 p.m. May 3. In the national semifinals, No. 1 Stanford (25-3)
plays No. 4 Ball State (27-7) at 6 p.m. and No. 2 Penn State (29-1)
faces No. 3 UCLA (23-4) at 8 p.m. Three of the teams forged their
way into the Final Four after winning their league, which clinched
them automatic bids in the tournament. Top-ranked Stanford beat out
UCLA 3-0 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) finals
earning the No. 1 seed in the Final Four. Second-ranked Penn State
posted a 13-15, 15-13, 15-9, 15-12 victory over Princeton to win
the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association and earn its
automatic berth. Ball State, who ranks seventh in the latest USA
Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 15 poll has
earned the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association berth
into the NCAA Tournament. The wild card berth was handed to No. 3
UCLA. The last time Ohio State hosted the Final Four in 1983, the
Bruins seized their second straight league title after sweeping
Ohio State and Pepperdine in three quick games. The title was Al
Scates’ 10th NCAA title, tying him with John Wooden for the most
national championships won by a head coach at UCLA. However, this
year the crown will not be so easily captured. The four teams have
all played at least two of the squads prior to the tournament and
the results have been mixed. ESPN2 will televise the first
semifinal match on a tape-delay basis Friday, May 2 at 12:30 p.m.
and the Penn State-UCLA semifinal Saturday, May 3 at 12:30 a.m. The
NCAA championship match airs Sunday, May 4 at 12:30 a.m. All times
are Eastern Standard Time. The matches will also be aired on KIEV
Radio (870 AM) live.

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