University of Memphis Athletics
Volleyball Not Included in NCAA Tournament Field
Nov 30, 2003 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 30, 2003
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Despite becoming just the second team in Conference USA history to reach the 30-win mark, the University of Memphis volleyball team (30-6) was not included in the 64-team NCAA Championship tournament field it was announced, Sunday night. With just C-USA Champion Louisville, and at-large Cincinnati in the tournament field, this marks just the first time in six years that Conference USA has not sent three teams into the NCAA Tournament. Undefeated Southern Cal is the tournament's top seed, and will face New Hampshire, who received an automatic bid into the tournament and will open play Friday.
The omission means the Tigers wrapped the 2003 season with a 30-6 overall record and also marks the ends of the Tiger careers of seniors Brittany Barnett (Dallas, Texas/Lake Highlands) and Shella Neba (Aurora, Colo./St. Mary's). Barnett finishes her career as the program's third ranked player with 1,349 career kills and eighth with 1,174 career digs. Neba finishes her career ranked fourth in career block assists and eighth in career block solos. In all, the two seniors guided the Tigers to two 20+ win seasons and one 19 win season.
Memphis has not made the NCAA Volleyball Tournament field since 1994. In that tournament, the Tigers were defeated by San Diego State, 3-1, in the first round of that tournament.
