In Indianapolis, excitement is building as we approach the official bracket reveal for the 2024 NCAA Division I women’s volleyball tournament. The selection show is set for 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 1, and volleyball fans are eagerly anticipating the announcement of the 64-team field.
The NCAA’s selection committee recently revealed their top 16 rankings, and Michella Chester, a well-known figure in the volleyball community, has shared her predictions on how the tournament might shape up. This is a yearly task that she takes on, combining data and insights from the current season with a bit of speculation on how the remainder of the season will play out.
Chester’s predictions include identifying the 31 automatic qualifiers (AQs), which are teams that secure spots through conference championships, while the remaining spots will be filled with at-large bids for teams that have performed well throughout the season.
Understanding the selection process can be a bit complex, so here’s a quick overview. The Competition Oversight Committee approved a new bracketing pilot for the championship, meaning that half of the bracket will be seeded across four groupings of 1-8. The top 32 teams will be recognized, with the top 16 assigned a seed from 1 to 4. Then those that fall beyond the top rankings will be filled into the last seed groupings.
In Chester’s predictions, she has highlighted that six teams from the Big Ten, four from the ACC, three from the Big 12, and two from the SEC are likely to make the cut for the top 16 teams. Additionally, Creighton stands as the sole representative from the Big East. Her analysis shows a mix of strong contenders across these conferences.
With only a few weeks left in the regular season, anticipation is palpable. Fans are hopeful to see their favorite teams perform well and secure their spots in the upcoming championship. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the teams and their performances leading up to the reveal of the official bracket.
