College Volleyball Will Play In Spring: Here's What The 2021 NCAA Tournament Will Look Like

ByRebekah Morris

3 min read

College Volleyball Will Play In Spring: Here's What The 2021 NCAA Tournament Will Look Like

Finally spring season is here and we can tune into watching competitive volleyball. It's the same season just at a different time and we're ready for it! The regular season will be from January 22nd to April 3rd  with selections for top teams on April 4th. The final competition for the NCAA tournament is scheduled to be played April 22nd-24th.


A few Division I Volleyball Conferences have announced their schedules for spring volleyball:

Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

  • ACC had a fall schedule of of eight conference matches and will have a spring conference plan with 10 league matches.

Big Ten Conference

  • The Big 10 has 22-schedule match plan, Big 12 will make up games that were postponed from the fall.

Southeastern Conference

  • The Southeastern Conference, SEC, announced its scheduled earlier this year. Each school will compete against eight opponents, twice in the same week on back-to-back days.
  • Matches may be played Wednesday/Thursday, Thursday/Friday, Friday/Saturday, or Saturday/Sunday.

Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

  • The Southwestern Athletic Conference, SWAC, will play a 13-match conference schedule. They have announced that they are prepared to make any adjustments necessary for the health and safety of all participating in the conference.

Most other conferences like the Sun Belt Conference, Pac 12, and others are following a similar plan for this different spring season that should have taken place in the fall. Some other conferences played already in the fall but a lot of teams are participating in this spring make-up season.


Where will the NCAA Volleyball Tournament be held?

The NCAA tournament is scheduled to take place in Omaha, Nebraska - the city that was supposed to host the semifinals and finals last year.

Volleyball will not be the only NCAA championship to take place in Omaha this spring. The NCAA Bowling and Women's Hockey Championships will be played there, along with the Men's College World Series in June.


How many teams will earn an invite to the tournament?

The tournament will have 48 teams this year instead of the usual 64, meaning that there will be fewer at large teams than in the past. First-round matches will take place on April 13th, second-round matches following on April 14th, semifinals on April 17th, and finals on the 19th.

Among the conferences that normally have one of the 32 automatic bids, two aren't competing. The Big West, which includes Hawaii and Long Beach State, chose to forego a 2021 spring volleyball season. The Ivy League chose to cancel their sports seasons in the spring of 2021 as well.


Without Conference Tournaments or out-of-conference games, how will the teams be chosen?

Because some of the top teams will not be facing each other the plan for the tournament will need to be different. T.J. Meagher, chair of the D1 NCAA Women's Volleyball Committee commented,

"We have always had our traditional criteria that we evaluate, a program's resume as it relates to getting an at-large bid. Obviously automatic bids are awarded by the conference as who they determine to be their conference champion. So our focus is really on those that have not won their conference, but have put together a season that merits a spot in the tournament ... It is really on the committee to give it our best effort to determine the teams that have earned an opportunity to represent their schools in the tournament."

With leagues playing at different times and few non-conference matches the selection  committee will have a hard time pulling up a plan from a smaller field in a year where the standings won't be as accurate.

We're excited to watch the players compete at a high level and finally play after all the hard work and effort from the players and coaches. -

Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
2024 WNBA Draft Recap: Caitlin Clark Goes No. 1, Fever and Sparks Shine

2024 WNBA Draft Recap: Caitlin Clark Goes No. 1, Fever and Sparks Shine

The 2024 WNBA Draft saw the Indiana Fever select Caitlin Clark with the first overall pick, adding...

ByBen Gauthier | Tue Apr 16 2024
Sports Apps: The Future of Sports Engagement and Fan Interaction

Sports Apps: The Future of Sports Engagement and Fan Interaction

In the increasingly digital world we live in, it comes as no surprise that sports engagement and...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Aug 24 2023
Artificial Intelligence: A Game-Changer for the Sports Industry

Artificial Intelligence: A Game-Changer for the Sports Industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the board, revolutionizing the way...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Aug 21 2023
USA Football: Two NFL Teams To Provide Coach Certification To Support Youth Football

USA Football: Two NFL Teams To Provide Coach Certification To Support Youth Football

The Indianapolis Colts and the Cleveland Browns have announced their support for USA Football's...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu May 04 2023
Ontario Volleyball Association: February/March - News and Updates

Ontario Volleyball Association: February/March - News and Updates

A new season means new events and opportunities for volleyball athletes across Canada. As the...

ByOVA Team Ontario | Thu Mar 30 2023
How GMTM helps Ontario Volleyball create more opportunities for Canadian athletes

How GMTM helps Ontario Volleyball create more opportunities for Canadian athletes

The Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) has an interesting problem.  Located within a few hours of...

ByOVA Team Ontario | Mon Mar 20 2023
Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

The sports industry is undergoing rapid change, putting pressure on organizations to keep pace. To...

ByJoey Grant | Mon Feb 06 2023
Digital Talent Identification: Volleyball Canada's Solution for Saving Athletes Thousands

Digital Talent Identification: Volleyball Canada's Solution for Saving Athletes Thousands

The average family of a youth volleyball player will spend $30,000 a year to compete at an elite...

ByJoey Grant | Tue Jan 24 2023
College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

Playing volleyball at the collegiate level is almost every single player's dream as a young...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Nov 24 2022
Do They Have High School Sports In European Countries?

Do They Have High School Sports In European Countries?

Unlike the United States, European countries do not have high school athletics. It is a completely...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 22 2022
Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

They’re one of the most crucial aspects to a college sports viewing experience. The players?...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Nov 21 2022
What It's Like To Play Professional Volleyball In A Different Country

What It's Like To Play Professional Volleyball In A Different Country

At some point throughout their lifetime, every athlete has the dream to play professionally, even...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 16 2022
Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Part two of some of the best division 1 college football game day traditions throughout the United...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

One of the best parts about college football are the traditions that have been around for decades....

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
Important Beach Volleyball Terminology to Know Before You Watch

Important Beach Volleyball Terminology to Know Before You Watch

Beach volleyball [gmtm.com/articles/tag/beach-volleyball] is a fun and exciting sport for the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Nov 04 2022
College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

The first step in getting recruited by a college volleyball team is to take advantage of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Oct 23 2022
Volleyball Recruiting: Nine Questions For Recruits To Ask Volleyball Coaches

Volleyball Recruiting: Nine Questions For Recruits To Ask Volleyball Coaches

Finding a good college, team, coach, and place to spend four years of your life is important and...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon Sep 26 2022
What are "Guarantee Games" in College Football?

What are "Guarantee Games" in College Football?

As the 2022 college football season gets underway, there are many behemoth matchups on the calendar...

ByAndrew Pistone | Sun Sep 25 2022
What CFB Programs Are Developing The Most NFL Talent At Each Position

What CFB Programs Are Developing The Most NFL Talent At Each Position

More than most sports, the fundamentals of Football change greatly depending on which position you...

ByAria Modirmassihai | Fri Sep 16 2022
The Positives of Playing Club Volleyball For College Recruits

The Positives of Playing Club Volleyball For College Recruits

Do you aspire to step into your next level as a collegiate volleyball player? Are you unsure if...

ByGrace White | Thu Sep 08 2022
Volleyball Recruiting: Best Tips For Playing In College At Every Position

Volleyball Recruiting: Best Tips For Playing In College At Every Position

What are some of the top best tips for excelling at different positions in volleyball? Are you in...

ByGrace White | Sat Aug 13 2022
Ranking the Five Best Division II Football Conferences

Ranking the Five Best Division II Football Conferences

While most fans are familiar with the prestigious football schools of the NCAA's Division I, the...

ByBryan Armetta | Thu Jul 28 2022
5 Mental Tricks To Help a Volleyball Player Who Is Struggling

5 Mental Tricks To Help a Volleyball Player Who Is Struggling

No matter who you are, no matter what kind of athlete you are, no matter how talented you are,...

ByRebekah Morris | Thu Jul 28 2022
The Libero: Volleyball's Most Unique Position Explained

The Libero: Volleyball's Most Unique Position Explained

The libero position on the volleyball team is one of the most important positions in the game of...

ByRebekah Morris | Sat Jul 23 2022
What College Coaches Are Looking for in a Recruit

What College Coaches Are Looking for in a Recruit

Playing for a college team takes more than talent or level of skill, and coaches are looking for...

ByRebekah Morris | Wed Jul 20 2022
5 Best Volleyball Drills and Workouts to Improve Blocking

5 Best Volleyball Drills and Workouts to Improve Blocking

In volleyball, blocking is the first form of defense. Your blockers, where you place them, and...

ByRebekah Morris | Tue Jul 19 2022
Beach Volleyball Rules: How The Sand Differs From Indoor Volleyball

Beach Volleyball Rules: How The Sand Differs From Indoor Volleyball

What can be better than watching volleyball? Not much... besides watching volleyball on the beach!...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon Jul 18 2022
How To Do A Volleyball Jump Serve: Step-By-Step Instructions

How To Do A Volleyball Jump Serve: Step-By-Step Instructions

The Jump Serve, also called the spike serve, is an essential skill for any player to learn. Players...

ByRebekah Morris | Sun Jul 17 2022
Volleyball: Four Steps For Defensive Player To Improve Your Digging

Volleyball: Four Steps For Defensive Player To Improve Your Digging

Whether you live to hit the floor or find you find yourself feeling uneasy as a big hitter on the...

ByRebekah Morris | Sat Jul 16 2022
Volleyball: How To Become A Better Setter

Volleyball: How To Become A Better Setter

In volleyball, the setter controls the offense by turning the first pass into a hittable ball. They...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Jul 13 2022
Volleyball: Three Best Drills & Workouts To Improve Your Setting

Volleyball: Three Best Drills & Workouts To Improve Your Setting

Setters are key members of a team’s offense. They are skilled in the overhand set, speed, accuracy,...

ByRebekah Morris | Tue Jul 12 2022
Women's Gymnastics Development Program: How To Get Started With Team USA

Women's Gymnastics Development Program: How To Get Started With Team USA

If you are a part of the gymnastics world, people often ask questions like, " Exactly how wide is...

ByTiana Schoney | Thu Jul 07 2022
Where to find the most Division III football championships

Where to find the most Division III football championships

At nearly 500 miles apart, two small Midwestern cities play host to a pair of college campuses. At...

ByBrice Odel | Thu Jun 16 2022
How To Transfer Schools As A College Volleyball Athlete

How To Transfer Schools As A College Volleyball Athlete

Whether you got recruited to your dream school or took your only offer, sometimes a transfer can be...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Jun 14 2022
Six Most Common Volleyball Injuries & How To Prevent Them

Six Most Common Volleyball Injuries & How To Prevent Them

What are the top volleyball injuries and what are the best tips to avoid them? As volleyball...

ByGrace White | Fri May 13 2022
How College Volleyball Differs From The High School Sport

How College Volleyball Differs From The High School Sport

When you commit to playing college volleyball you have to commit to other decisions as well to...

ByRebekah Morris | Wed May 11 2022
Volleyball Players: Here are Four Ways to Boost Your Recruitment

Volleyball Players: Here are Four Ways to Boost Your Recruitment

No matter how talented or hardworking you are as an athlete, there are ways to boost your...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon May 09 2022
What Is 7-on-7 Football? And Why It Is The Best Offseason Activity

What Is 7-on-7 Football? And Why It Is The Best Offseason Activity

Another cold, barren football offseason is now upon us. As the Los Angeles Rams lifted the Lombardi...

ByBryan Armetta | Sun May 01 2022
How to Become the Best Outside Player and Make Coaches Believe It

How to Become the Best Outside Player and Make Coaches Believe It

Outside hitters have been voted over and over again, by players and coaches, as one of the most...

ByRebekah Morris | Sun May 01 2022
College Volleyball: Why The Libero Position Is So Important

College Volleyball: Why The Libero Position Is So Important

"Why is that player wearing a different color jersey?" This is an inevitable question from any...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Fri Apr 29 2022
Volleyball: How To Become a Better Passer

Volleyball: How To Become a Better Passer

Passing is a necessary skill needed to boost your play level from good to great. I have heard a...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon Apr 18 2022
The Five Best Offseason Sports For Volleyball Players

The Five Best Offseason Sports For Volleyball Players

We all know the best athletes play more than one sport. From Michael Jordan and his baseball days...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Apr 09 2022
Are The Kansas Jayhawks Next To Fly The Coop In Conference Realignment?

Are The Kansas Jayhawks Next To Fly The Coop In Conference Realignment?

College sports has had another topsy turvy summer with regards to major college sports programs...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Apr 05 2022
Are there Different Positions In College Beach Volleyball?

Are there Different Positions In College Beach Volleyball?

Beach volleyball is an enjoyable sport that offers amazing experiences for newbies and refreshing...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Mar 23 2022
Beach Volleyball and Ice Hockey Championship Bracket Updates

Beach Volleyball and Ice Hockey Championship Bracket Updates

Everywhere sports fans turn, it seems like more teams are being allowed to compete for titles. The...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Jan 20 2022
Seven Tips Every Volleyball Player Needs To Increase Their Vertical Jump

Seven Tips Every Volleyball Player Needs To Increase Their Vertical Jump

Whether you are a defensive specialist, a setter, or an attacker, increasing your vertical and jump...

ByRebekah Morris | Fri Jan 07 2022
Women's Gymnastics: Interview with Division III Head Coach, Kasey Crawford

Women's Gymnastics: Interview with Division III Head Coach, Kasey Crawford

University of Wisconsin La-Crosse [https://uwlathletics.com/sports/womens-gymnastics] has one of...

ByTiana Schoney | Tue Jan 04 2022
Volleyball Canada Launches Virtual Tryout For Women's NEP and U18 Team

Volleyball Canada Launches Virtual Tryout For Women's NEP and U18 Team

Volleyball Canada’s National Excellence Program (NEP) is the main talent identification process for...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 16 2021
Each Activity In The Volleyball Canada 2022 NEP and U18 Tryout On GMTM

Each Activity In The Volleyball Canada 2022 NEP and U18 Tryout On GMTM

On November 11th, Volleyball Canada launched their 2022 Women's NEP and U18 Tryout on...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Nov 11 2021
First Point Volleyball Foundation Focused On Growing The Sport

First Point Volleyball Foundation Focused On Growing The Sport

As we continue to return to life as we knew it before the pandemic began, fans, coaches and...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Oct 27 2021