Posted on: Sunday, December 8, 2002

Nebraska advances in NCAA tourney

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Nebraska swept Arizona State, 30-22, 30-21, 30-27, last night in Lincoln to advance to the Central Regional of the NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship with second-ranked Hawai'i.

Immediately after the victory, the fourth-ranked Cornhuskers (30-1) announced they would host the regional at the NU Coliseum Friday and Saturday. The NCAA is expected to make the official announcement today.

"We were planning on being at home," NU coach John Cook said. "It gives us our best chance to get to the final four. There is a lot less stress when you're not traveling."

The Rainbow Wahine (32-1), seeded sixth in the NCAA Tournament, play 11th-seeded North Carolina Friday in the early match. Nebraska will meet Miami (27-5), which upset 14th-seeded Wisconsin in four games last night in Madison.

North Carolina (32-3) is making its first Sweet 16 appearance. It is led by Laura Greene, the first Tar Heel to earn ACC Player of the Year honors since Punahou graduate Erin Berg did it in 1998.