The NCAA volleyball tournament advanced to the regional finals after Thursday’s Sweet 16 showcase delivered dramatic five-set thrillers and convincing sweeps across four regional sites. Creighton, Kansas, and Louisville all claimed regional victories to secure spots heading into the final stretch. The<br tournament narrows from 16 competitive teams down to just eight advancing beyond this crucial weekend.
🔥 Quick Facts
- No. 3 Creighton defeated No. 8 Arizona State 3-1 in four sets to advance on December 11, 2025
- No. 4 Kansas upset No. 5 Miami 3-1 behind strong serving and net play in the Lexington Regional
- No. 2 Louisville survived Marquette in an intense five-set match (3-2) with 28 kills from Chloe Chicoine
- Nebraska remains undefeated at 32-0 with only seven dropped sets all season heading into final four
Creighton Dominates Arizona State to Advance
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The No. 3 Creighton Bluejays made a statement with a decisive 3-1 victory over Arizona State in Sweet 16 action from the Lexington Regional. Creighton has now won 22 consecutive matches this season and improves to 27-5 overall entering the regional finals.
This marks Creighton’s third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance and their fifth overall in program history. Head coach Brian Rosen, in his first season at the helm, has the Bluejays performing at an elite level with balanced attacking and suffocating defense keeping opponents from gaining momentum.
Kansas Pulls Off Close Four-Set Victory Against Miami
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Kansas displayed impressive composure in defeating Miami 3-1 with set scores of 25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25. The No. 4 Jayhawks secured their regional semifinal win inside Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena with strong contributions from pin hitter Grace Nelson and the squad’s balanced offensive attack.
The Jayhawks finished the regular season with a 23-5 record and 14-4 conference mark, entering the tournament as a No. 16 seed before advancing. Kansas volleyball continues to demonstrate why they compete at the highest levels of NCAA Division I competition.
| Team | Set Scores | Result |
| Creighton vs Arizona State | 24-26, 25-19, 13-25, 18-25 | 3-1 WIN |
| Kansas vs Miami | 25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25 | 3-1 WIN |
| Louisville vs Marquette | 21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12 | 3-2 WIN |
Louisville Powers Through Dramatic Five-Set Thriller
No. 2 Louisville showcased championship-caliber resilience by defeating Marquette 3-2 in a back-and-forth five-set battle with scores of 21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12. The Cardinals, the national runner-up from 2024, were pushed to the limit by the Golden Eagles but ultimately prevailed.
Outside hitter Chloe Chicoine led Louisville’s offense with 28 kills in the match, showcasing the firepower that makes the Cardinals one of college volleyball’s most dangerous teams. Coach Dan Meske has Louisville positioned to make another championship run this December.
What The Regional Final Matchups Mean For Each Team
The regional final games set up intriguing matchups that will determine who advances to the Final Four in Kansas City on December 18. Creighton aims to become the first team outside Nebraska to claim the top story arc, while Louisville seeks to avenge their previous year’s championship loss.
Nebraska’s undefeated season continues as Head Coach John Cook’s powerhouse team has dropped only seven sets all year. The Cornhuskers remain the team to beat heading into the championship stretch, having dominated opponents with precision and power throughout this tournament run.
‘The 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament is down to the Sweet 16 after two rounds of sweeps and intense five-set thrillers.’
— USA Today Sports, Tournament Coverage
When Can Fans Watch The Remaining Round Matches?
The<br regional finals take place this weekend with matches on December 12 and 13 across the four regional sites. All matches will air live on ESPN platforms, with one regional final airing on ABC on Sunday, December 14. The Final Four championship games are scheduled for December 18 and 21 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
For fans eager to follow every serve, rally, and block, streaming options include ESPN+ and various cable broadcasts. The championship match on December 21 will air on ABC for maximum accessibility to college volleyball enthusiasts across the nation.
Sources
- USA Today Sports – NCAA volleyball Sweet 16 tournament scores and bracket updates
- NCAA.com – Official tournament bracket and live scoring updates
- ESPN – Comprehensive tournament coverage and team highlights
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.