Ninth Straight Dance: Baylor Volleyball to host NCAA tournament opening rounds

Thanks to another stellar season for Baylor Volleyball, there are more matches yet to be played at the Ferrell Center this season (and hopefully more to come beyond that).

Head coach Ryan McGuyre’s Bears earned their ninth straight NCAA Tournament berth Sunday night, and will begin their postseason journey at home. As the No. 15 overall seed, Baylor will host the first and second rounds starting Thursday at the Ferrell Center. The Bears will play Wofford in the first round Thursday evening at 7 p.m.; the winner of that match will play the winner of South Carolina vs. No. 23 Dayton on Friday (7 p.m.).

A 22-7 record (including a 14-4 mark and third-place tie in the Big 12) propelled Baylor to the postseason for the 13th time in program history. Veteran outside hitter Elise McGhee again was a standout, finishing third in the Big 12 in points, while middle blocker Alicia Andrew finished in the top five in the conference in hitting percentage. With a strong schedule that included wins over No. 15 Minnesota, No. 8 Arizona State and No. 22 TCU, the Bears head into postseason play well-prepared for matchups against the nation’s top teams.

The selection continues a golden age for the Bears, who have reached the postseason for all but the first season of Ryan McGuyre’s 10-year tenure as head coach. With two wins in Waco, the Bears would advance to the Sweet 16 against the winner of a second-round matchup hosted by No. 2 overall seed Nebraska.

Tickets to this weekend’s matches are available now. See you at the Ferrell Center!

Sic ’em, Baylor Volleyball!