Sports

UW to host 2007 regionals

In 2006, the University of Wisconsin volleyball team lost to Texas in the NCAA tournament's round of 16 on the Longhorns' home floor. Next season, that's not even a possibility.

Wednesday, the NCAA granted UW the privilege of hosting the 2007 tournament regionals, slated for Dec. 7 and 8.

"It's awesome," junior Jocelyn Wack said. "When the coaches told us they put a bid in for it, that was something we were striving for. As a team, with how many seniors we have and everyone returning, it's definitely a step in the right direction. It gives us something to shoot for in the postseason next year."

The Badgers finished the 2006 season 9-1 in the Field House during Big Ten action, with an impressive average attendance of 4,328.

"Our home crowd gives us so much energy, so much support," junior Maya Carroll said. "We love playing at home; it's obviously our favorite place to play. We think we have one of the best homes in the country to play for."

In both 1993 and 1998, Wisconsin hosted the NCAA women's volleyball championships, setting records for attendance each time.

The Badgers most recently hosted regional action in 2000, when they advanced to the national championship before losing to Nebraska in five games. Wisconsin also hosted the regionals in 1997, when the team lost to Florida in the championship in five games.

In 2006, UW's first two-round games were played in the Field House. Wisconsin beat Notre Dame and Iowa State before falling to Texas in Austin.

The other three host sites for next year's regionals will be held in Florida's O'Connell Center, Penn State's Rec Hall and Stanford's Maple Pavilion.

But should the Badgers advance to the Sweet 16, they will be guaranteed home-court advantage, which has given them some high hopes.

"Hopefully, it will make it that much easier to make it to the Final Four," junior Amanda Berkley said.

The winners of each regional will punch their tickets to the Final Four, which will be held in ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

The Field House won't be the only sporting venue on campus hosting NCAA regionals next year, though. The Kohl Center will be the host for next year's NCAA Midwest regional for men's hockey on March 29 and 30 — along with Worcester, Mass.; Albany, N.Y.; and Colorado Springs, Colo. The Frozen Four will be held from April 10 to April 12 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.