Kansas State volleyball is heading to the NCAA Tournament. Here’s what to know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas State earned an NCAA Tournament berth, finishing 17-9 and 10-8 Big 12
- K-State opens vs. San Diego Friday 4:30 p.m. in Lincoln; winner likely faces Nebraska
- Program marks 19th NCAA appearance; K-State is 15-18 all-time and seeks Sweet 16
The Kansas State volleyball team is heading back to the NCAA Tournament.
On Sunday, K-State earned a berth into the field of 64 for the first time since 2021. The Wildcats finished the regular season with an overall record of 17-9 and a Big 12 mark of 10-8 under head coach Jason Mansfield.
This is the program’s 19th postseason appearance in school history.
K-State will play San Diego in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at John Cook Arena at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers, who went 30-0 this season, will likely take on the winner of that game in the second round at 7 p.m. the following day. Nebraska opens with Long Island.
“I’m really proud of this team and what they’ve accomplished this season,” Mansfield said. “Anytime you make the NCAA Tournament, it’s special. It’s something we’ve wanted for the last couple of years. But I think this team earned it, and the season we’ve had — with the wins we’ve had — kind of speaks for itself.”
K-State is 15-18 all-time in the NCAA Tournament and has reached the Sweet 16 three times.
“I’m really happy for the seniors that they get an opportunity to compete in this tournament, and we don’t need to go very far,” Mansfield said. “A little bus trip over to Lincoln will be great.
“San Diego is a very good team that went undefeated in its conference and has a long tradition of winning. They’re used to being in the tournament, and they’ll be ready to compete. We play in arguably the best conference in the country, and it’s prepared us to play in the tournament. We’re looking to make some noise and compete.”
A limited number of tickets to the first- and second-round matches in Lincoln are available at the Nebraska athletics website. First- and second-round matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
The NCAA Championship will take place at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Dec. 18 and 21.
Kansas State’s NCAA Tournament volleyball schedule
Friday: K-State vs. San Diego at 4:30 p.m. in Lincoln, Nebraska on ESPN+
Saturday: K-State/San Diego winner vs. Nebraska/Long Island winner at 7 p.m. on ESPN+