Image: ESPN
The 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament has reached its final four competitors and a new champion will be crowned this weekend. The tournament began with 64 teams, and after four grueling rounds, the semifinal matchups will feature a pair of teams representing the ACC and another pair from the Big Ten. The Final Four and the Championship Game will be held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Louisville will be the first contest in the semifinals. Louisville is undefeated and is trying to become the first college volleyball team to have the perfect season since Penn State did it back-to-back in 2008 and 2009. The 32-0 Cardinals have been dominant, they won the ACC, and have only dropped a single set throughout NCAA tournament play. Coming out of the Big Ten, the Wisconsin Badgers will be making its third-straight trip to the Final Four. If they can upset Louisville, Wisconsin’s hopes of winning their first title will continue for another round.
The second semifinal game will be a must-watch matchup between No. 10 Nebraska vs. No. 3 Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Panthers locked up their first top-4 seed in program history and could turn the National Championship Game into an ACC affair by possibly playing. Likewise, the Nebraska Cornhuskers could turn the title game into a Big Ten affair if they end up playing Wisconsin. History is on the Cornhusker’s side as they’re the only ones of the four remaining teams to have won a national title, which they’ve done 5 times.
Games, Times, and Channels
ESPN and ESPN 2 will be broadcasting the final 3 games in the 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament. Paul Sunderland and Salima Rockwell will handle all of the broadcasting duties during the final two rounds of the tournament. Christine Williamson will be reporting during the game and supporting the studio, which will have an NCAA Volleyball Championship Preview Show Presented hosted by Courtney Lyle with Jennifer Hoffman.
Thursday, December 16
| Game | Time (ET) | Network |
| NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament Presented by Buick – SemifinalNo. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Louisville | 7 PM | ESPN |
| NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament Presented by Buick – SemifinalNo. 10 Nebraska vs. No. 3 Pittsburgh | 9:30 PM | ESPN |
Sat, December 18
| Game | Time (ET) | Network |
| NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship Preview Show Presented by Buick | 7:15 PM | ESPN2 |
| NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament Presented by Buick – Championship | 7:30 PM | ESPN2 |
How to Watch
ESPN and ESPN 2 will be the home of all of this weekend’s women’s volleyball action. Most subscription services will be carrying the games and cord cutters can check out the chart below to find out how to watch all 3 games.
| Channel | DIRECTV STREAM | fuboTV | Hulu with Live | Sling Orange | Sling Blue | Vidgo | YouTube TV |
| $69.99 | $64.99 | $64.99 | $35 | $35 | $55 | $64.99 | |
| ESPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| ESPN2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |