Volleyball So what does it take to host an NCAA women's volleyball regional?
regionals
up in air
Hawaii hasn't heard
whether winning would
make the school a host againBy Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comNo one seems to be able to say for sure, even the selection committee. The parameters have changed over the years as the tournament has expanded to 64 teams.
The NCAA Division I championship manual lists eight requirements. Host institutions need only meet the minimum criteria to be considered.
Some of the key components include a facility with a minimum seating capacity of 4,000 and a minimum guarantee of $6,000 in net receipts.
The bylaws also require that the selection committee consider geographic proximity and seeding in assigning sites. The committee, comprised of 10 members who chair regional committees, has awarded regionals in years past based on seeding and not potential revenue.
"Traditionally, we have given first consideration to the higher-seeded teams," said Cindy Spiro, associate director of athletics at Pacific and a member of the NCAA women's volleyball committee. "Traditionally, it's been that way. We do exercise the option to utilize the majority of criteria in deciding the regional sites.
"There are also geographical considerations as well. There's a bylaw in the NCAA manual that specifies that the championships that do not produce a positive net revenue will seed teams geographically."
Geographic seeding helps reduce the cost of flying teams long distances across the country. It will be a factor as long as women's volleyball isn't a revenue-producing championship. An attractive regional bid won't outweigh the cost factor.
"I don't know why they haven't told us about the regional. I don't know if it's different from other years," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "I just can't speculate on why things happen. I don't think they have it out for Hawaii.
"Certainly, it could be economics. To come out here is pretty costly. That could work against us rather than having projected revenue."
UH's bid to host a regional this year was based on an average attendance figure of 7,500, Hawaii senior women's administrator Marilyn Moniz Kaho'ohanohano said. The university offered a guarantee of $108,000, likely the largest of all bidders. But that probably won't be enough, at least not this year.
Regional sites will be predetermined next year to allow host facilities enough time to promote and market the regional, Spiro said. Attendance history, institutions' championship administration and experience will also be considered in the overall bid.
"This year, we're almost in a transitory situation. Going from what we had strictly adhered to in the past, the top-four seeds, to our predetermined bids, which we'll be implementing in 2003.
"We really want to highlight the student-athlete's experience of a championship. There's a larger emphasis on the revenue production and it will be so in the future. Starting next year, regionals will be predetermined. There's a bid process that will go out. This is really the last year that we will be operating under the former policies."
Last year, in light of the 9/11 attacks, playing sites were determined with an emphasis on minimizing travel. This year, the NCAA reverted to policies it used in 2000. But none of the regional sites were disclosed during the selection show last Sunday and they won't be announced until first and second round matches have been played. The top-four seeds have been warned there are no guarantees they will host a regional.
Even top-seeded and No. 1-ranked USC has been told not to count on hosting the West regional, according to Trojans sports information director Vicky Hammond.
Eighth-seeded UC Santa Barbara, also in the West region, has submitted a bid for the regional. Gauchos coach Kathy Gregory said she has received phone calls that allude to UCSB hosting, but the picture is still muddled.
"It's interesting. They're going to pick and choose," Gregory said. "I know they're not guaranteeing the top seeds. No one's quite sure."
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When: Today, Washington vs. Colorado State, 5 p.m. Wahine Volleyball
Hawaii vs. Western Kentucky, 30 minutes after the first match
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
TV: KFVE, Ch. 5 (UH matches only)
Radio: Live, 1420-AM
Internet: kccn1420am.com
Notes: Hawaii and Western Kentucky played against each other in 1987. The Rainbow Wahine lead the series 2-0. ...The Hilltoppers are making their first appearance in the NCAA tournament and have the most wins of any team in the field. ...Noe was the Sun Belt Conference player of the year, while May was the conference defensive specialist of the year. ...Freshman Susie Boogaard was off crutches and practiced yesterday.
Probable starters
WESTERN KENTUCKY (33-4)
Ht. KPG Aces DPG S Sara Noe (Sr.) 5-7 0.75 42 2.15 MB Amanda Schiff (So.) 6-1 3.60 51 0.68 MB Cynda Derbort (Jr.) 6-0 1.98 35 0.39 OH Jessie Wagner (Fr.) 5-10 3.38 4 0.62 OH Amanda Cecil (So.) 5-10 2.80 41 2.84 Opp Crystal Towler (Fr.) 6-0 3.26 38 0.97 L Tracy May (Jr.) 5-10 n/a n/a 4.26 HAWAII (30-1)
Ht. KPG Aces Digs S Margaret Vakasausau (Sr.) 5-8 .10 5 2.09 MB Maja Gustin (Jr.) 6-3 2.36 11 0.82 MB Lauren Duggins (Jr.) 6-0 2.53 25 1.71 OH Lily Kahumoku (Jr.) 6-2 5.21 11 3.10 OH Kim Willoughby (Jr.) 6-0 6.33 70 3.19 Opp Nohea Tano (Jr.) 5-11 1.40 1 1.02 L Melissa Villaroman (Jr.) 5-6 n/a n/a 3.31
UH Athletics
