# 2002 NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament

The 2002 NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament began on December 5, 2002 with 64 teams and concluded on December 21 when Southern California defeated Stanford 3 games to 1 in New Orleans, Louisiana for the program's second NCAA title and fifth overall national title.
It was Southern California's first national title since 1981, while Stanford was the defending 2001 national champion. Semifinalist Hawaiʻi was making the program's seventh NCAA final four appearance, while Florida made the program's first final four appearance in four years.

## Records

The conference champion from each of 31 conferences earned a bid to the 2002 NCAA Volleyball Tournament, along with 33 at-large bids. The Big Ten and Pac-10 led all conferences with eight bids each. In all, ten conferences had a team ranked in the top 16 of the tournament. As of 2017, this is the most conferences represented by seeded teams in a single tournament in the 64-team era (since 1998).
West Regional :
| Seed | School | Conference | Berth Type | Record |
| | Cal Poly | Big West | At-large | 15-12 |
| | California | Pac-10 | At-large | 19-11 |
| | College of Charleston | Southern | Automatic | 29-5 |
| | Fresno State | WAC | At-large | 23-6 |
| | George Mason | CAA | Automatic | 22-7 |
| | Long Beach State | Big West | At-large | 28-3 |
| | Michigan State | Big Ten | At-large | 19-11 |
| 16 | Notre Dame | Big East | Automatic | 23-7 |
| 9 | Pepperdine | West Coast | Automatic | 23-6 |
| | San Diego | West Coast | At-large | 25-7 |
| | Santa Clara | West Coast | At-large | 24-6 |
| | Texas A&M | Big 12 | At-large | 20-9 |
| | UCLA | Pac-10 | At-large | 19-13 |
| 8 | UC Santa Barbara | Big West | Automatic | 28-2 |
| 1 | USC | Pac-10 | Automatic | 25-1 |
| | Utah | Mountain West | Automatic | 25-8 |
East Regional :
| Seed | School | Conference | Berth Type | Record |
| 5 | Florida | SEC | Automatic | 30-2 |
| | Florida State | ACC | At-large | 21-12 |
| | Kansas State | Big 12 | At-large | 20-8 |
| | Manhattan | MAAC | Automatic | 30-2 |
| | Michigan | Big Ten | At-large | 16-14 |
| | Milwaukee | Horizon | Automatic | 20-13 |
| | Missouri | Big 12 | At-large | 25-7 |
| 4 | Northern Iowa | Missouri Valley | Automatic | 32-2 |
| | Northwestern | Big Ten | At-large | 17-15 |
| | Oral Roberts | Mid-Continent | Automatic | 22-10 |
| | Penn | Ivy League | Automatic | 22-4 |
| 12 | Penn State | Big Ten | At-large | 24-7 |
| | South Florida | Conference USA | Automatic | 29-6 |
| | Temple | Atlantic 10 | Automatic | 26-6 |
| | UCF | Atlantic Sun | Automatic | 22-12 |
| 13 | Washington State | Pac-10 | At-large | 21-7 |
Central Regional :
| Seed | School | Conference | Berth Type | Record |
| | Alabama A&M | SWAC | Automatic | 24-7 |
| | American | Patriot | Automatic | 26-7 |
| | Arizona State | Pac-10 | At-large | 14-11 |
| | Cincinnati | Conference USA | At-large | 23-8 |
| | Colorado State | Mountain West | At-large | 22-9 |
| | Duke | ACC | At-large | 24-9 |
| 6 | Hawaii | WAC | Automatic | 30-1 |
| | Miami (FL) | Big East | At-large | 25-5 |
| 3 | Nebraska | Big 12 | Automatic | 27-1 |
| 11 | North Carolina | ACC | At-large | 30-3 |
| | South Carolina | SEC | At-large | 21-6 |
| | Tennessee-Martin | Ohio Valley | Automatic | 24-5 |
| | Washington | Pac-10 | At-large | 19-10 |
| | Western Kentucky | Sun Belt | Automatic | 33-4 |
| | Winthrop | Big South | Automatic | 28-10 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | Big Ten | At-large | 23-8 |
Pacific Regional :
| Seed | School | Conference | Berth Type | Record |
| 10 | Arizona | Pac-10 | At-large | 17-11 |
| | Ball State | MAC | Automatic | 25-7 |
| | Florida A&M | MEAC | Automatic | 23-6 |
| | Georgia Tech | ACC | Automatic | 32-5 |
| | Indiana | Big Ten | At-large | 20-12 |
| | Louisville | Conference USA | At-large | 27-5 |
| 7 | Minnesota | Big Ten | Automatic | 30-5 |
| | Nevada | WAC | At-large | 22-9 |
| | New Hampshire | America East | Automatic | 23-10 |
| 15 | Ohio State | Big Ten | At-large | 19-10 |
| | Pacific | Big West | At-large | 18-12 |
| | Robert Morris | Northeast | Automatic | 27-11 |
| | Sacramento State | Big Sky | Automatic | 24-10 |
| 2 | Stanford | Pac-10 | At-large | 27-4 |
| | Texas | Big 12 | At-large | 22-8 |
| | Texas-Arlington | Southland | Automatic | 26-6 |

## West Regional (Santa Barbara)

| First round December 5-7 | First round December 5-7 | First round December 5-7 | Second round December 7-8 | Second round December 7-8 | Second round December 7-8 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | | Regional finals December 13-14 | Regional finals December 13-14 | Regional finals December 13-14 |
| 1 | Southern California | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | San Diego | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | San Diego | 0 | 1 | Southern California | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles, CA | 1 | Southern California | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles, CA | | Texas A&M | 0 | | | | | | | |
| Utah | Utah | 0 | | Texas A&M | 0 | | | | | | | |
| Texas A&M | Texas A&M | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Texas A&M | Texas A&M | 3 | | | | 1 | Southern California | 3 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Michigan State | 0 | | | | |
| Michigan State | Michigan State | 3 | | | | | | | | Michigan State | 0 | | | | |
| George Mason | George Mason | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| George Mason | George Mason | 0 | | Michigan State | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Notre Dame, IN | Notre Dame, IN | Notre Dame, IN | | Michigan State | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Notre Dame, IN | Notre Dame, IN | Notre Dame, IN | 16 | Notre Dame | 0 | | | | | | | |
| | College of Charleston | 1 | 16 | Notre Dame | 0 | | | | | | | |
| 16 | Notre Dame | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 16 | Notre Dame | 3 | | | | | | | | 1 | Southern California | 3 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 9 | Pepperdine | 0 |
| 9 | Pepperdine | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | Pepperdine | 0 |
| | Cal Poly | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Cal Poly | 0 | 9 | Pepperdine | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Malibu, CA | Malibu, CA | Malibu, CA | 9 | Pepperdine | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Malibu, CA | Malibu, CA | Malibu, CA | | UCLA | 1 | | | | | | | |
| UCLA | UCLA | 3 | | UCLA | 1 | | | | | | | |
| Long Beach State | Long Beach State | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Long Beach State | Long Beach State | 0 | | | | 9 | Pepperdine | 3 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8 | UCSB | 1 | | | | |
| Santa Clara | Santa Clara | 1 | | | | | | | 8 | UCSB | 1 | | | | |
| California | California | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| California | California | 3 | | California | 0 | | | | | | | |
| Santa Barbara, CA | Santa Barbara, CA | Santa Barbara, CA | | California | 0 | | | | | | | |
| Santa Barbara, CA | Santa Barbara, CA | Santa Barbara, CA | 8 | UCSB | 3 | | | | | | | |
| | Fresno State | 1 | 8 | UCSB | 3 | | | | | | | |
| 8 | UCSB | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |

## East Regional (Gainesville)

| First round December 5-7 | First round December 5-7 | First round December 5-7 | Second round December 7-8 | Second round December 7-8 | Second round December 7-8 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | | Regional finals December 13-14 | Regional finals December 13-14 | Regional finals December 13-14 |
| 5 | Florida | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Central Florida | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Central Florida | 0 | 5 | Florida | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Gainesville, FL | Gainesville, FL | Gainesville, FL | 5 | Florida | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Gainesville, FL | Gainesville, FL | Gainesville, FL | | South Florida | 1 | | | | | | | |
| Florida State | Florida State | 0 | | South Florida | 1 | | | | | | | |
| South Florida | South Florida | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| South Florida | South Florida | 3 | | | | 5 | Florida | 3 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Temple | 0 | | | | |
| Temple | Temple | 3 | | | | | | | | Temple | 0 | | | | |
| Manhattan | Manhattan | 1 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Manhattan | Manhattan | 1 | | Temple | 3 | | | | | | | |
| University Park, PA | University Park, PA | University Park, PA | | Temple | 3 | | | | | | | |
| University Park, PA | University Park, PA | University Park, PA | 12 | Penn State | 1 | | | | | | | |
| | Pennsylvania | 0 | 12 | Penn State | 1 | | | | | | | |
| 12 | Penn State | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 12 | Penn State | 3 | | | | | | | | 5 | Florida | 3 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 13 | Washington State | 1 |
| 13 | Washington State | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | 13 | Washington State | 1 |
| | Oral Roberts | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Oral Roberts | 0 | 13 | Washington State | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Manhattan, KS | Manhattan, KS | Manhattan, KS | 13 | Washington State | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Manhattan, KS | Manhattan, KS | Manhattan, KS | | Kansas State | 1 | | | | | | | |
| Michigan | Michigan | 0 | | Kansas State | 1 | | | | | | | |
| Kansas State | Kansas State | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Kansas State | Kansas State | 3 | | | | 13 | Washington State | 3 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4 | Northern Iowa | 0 | | | | |
| Missouri | Missouri | 3 | | | | | | | 4 | Northern Iowa | 0 | | | | |
| Northwestern | Northwestern | 1 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Northwestern | Northwestern | 1 | | Missouri | 2 | | | | | | | |
| Cedar Falls, IA | Cedar Falls, IA | Cedar Falls, IA | | Missouri | 2 | | | | | | | |
| Cedar Falls, IA | Cedar Falls, IA | Cedar Falls, IA | 4 | Northern Iowa | 3 | | | | | | | |
| | UW–Milwaukee | 1 | 4 | Northern Iowa | 3 | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Northern Iowa | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |

## Central Regional (Lincoln)

| First round December 5-7 | First round December 5-7 | First round December 5-7 | Second round December 7-8 | Second round December 7-8 | Second round December 7-8 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | | Regional finals December 13-14 | Regional finals December 13-14 | Regional finals December 13-14 |
| 3 | Nebraska | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Tennessee-Martin | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Tennessee-Martin | 0 | 3 | Nebraska | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Lincoln, NE | Lincoln, NE | Lincoln, NE | 3 | Nebraska | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Lincoln, NE | Lincoln, NE | Lincoln, NE | | Arizona State | 0 | | | | | | | |
| Arizona State | Arizona State | 3 | | Arizona State | 0 | | | | | | | |
| Cincinnati | Cincinnati | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cincinnati | Cincinnati | 2 | | | | 3 | Nebraska | 3 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Miami (FL) | 0 | | | | |
| Miami (FL) | Miami (FL) | 3 | | | | | | | | Miami (FL) | 0 | | | | |
| Duke | Duke | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Duke | Duke | 0 | | Miami (FL) | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Madison, WI | Madison, WI | Madison, WI | | Miami (FL) | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Madison, WI | Madison, WI | Madison, WI | 14 | Wisconsin | 1 | | | | | | | |
| | Alabama A&M | 0 | 14 | Wisconsin | 1 | | | | | | | |
| 14 | Wisconsin | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 14 | Wisconsin | 3 | | | | | | | | 3 | Nebraska | 1 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 6 | Hawaiʻi | 3 |
| 11 | North Carolina | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | Hawaiʻi | 3 |
| | Winthrop | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Winthrop | 0 | 11 | North Carolina | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Chapel Hill, NC | Chapel Hill, NC | Chapel Hill, NC | 11 | North Carolina | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Chapel Hill, NC | Chapel Hill, NC | Chapel Hill, NC | | South Carolina | 1 | | | | | | | |
| American | American | 1 | | South Carolina | 1 | | | | | | | |
| South Carolina | South Carolina | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| South Carolina | South Carolina | 3 | | | | 11 | North Carolina | 0 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6 | Hawaiʻi | 3 | | | | |
| Washington | Washington | 3 | | | | | | | 6 | Hawaiʻi | 3 | | | | |
| Colorado State | Colorado State | 1 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Colorado State | Colorado State | 1 | | Washington | 0 | | | | | | | |
| Honolulu, HI | Honolulu, HI | Honolulu, HI | | Washington | 0 | | | | | | | |
| Honolulu, HI | Honolulu, HI | Honolulu, HI | 6 | Hawaiʻi | 3 | | | | | | | |
| | Western Kentucky | 0 | 6 | Hawaiʻi | 3 | | | | | | | |
| 6 | Hawaiʻi | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |

## Pacific Regional (Stanford)

| First round December 5-7 | First round December 5-7 | First round December 5-7 | Second round December 7-8 | Second round December 7-8 | Second round December 7-8 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | Regional semifinals December 12-13 | | Regional finals December 13-14 | Regional finals December 13-14 | Regional finals December 13-14 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | New Hampshire | 1 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | New Hampshire | 1 | 7 | Minnesota | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Minneapolis, MN | Minneapolis, MN | Minneapolis, MN | 7 | Minnesota | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Minneapolis, MN | Minneapolis, MN | Minneapolis, MN | | Georgia Tech | 1 | | | | | | | |
| Florida A&M | Florida A&M | 0 | | Georgia Tech | 1 | | | | | | | |
| Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech | 3 | | | | 7 | Minnesota | 1 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 10 | Arizona | 3 | | | | |
| Texas | Texas | 3 | | | | | | | 10 | Arizona | 3 | | | | |
| Indiana | Indiana | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Indiana | Indiana | 2 | | Texas | 2 | | | | | | | |
| Tucson, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Tucson, AZ | | Texas | 2 | | | | | | | |
| Tucson, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Tucson, AZ | 10 | Arizona | 3 | | | | | | | |
| | Texas-Arlington | 0 | 10 | Arizona | 3 | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Arizona | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Arizona | 3 | | | | | | | | 10 | Arizona | 0 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Stanford | 3 |
| 15 | Ohio State | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Stanford | 3 |
| | Robert Morris | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Robert Morris | 0 | 15 | Ohio State | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Columbus, OH | Columbus, OH | Columbus, OH | 15 | Ohio State | 3 | | | | | | | |
| Columbus, OH | Columbus, OH | Columbus, OH | | Louisville | 0 | | | | | | | |
| Ball State | Ball State | 0 | | Louisville | 0 | | | | | | | |
| Louisville | Louisville | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Louisville | Louisville | 3 | | | | 15 | Ohio State | 0 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2 | Stanford | 3 | | | | |
| Pacific | Pacific | 3 | | | | | | | 2 | Stanford | 3 | | | | |
| Nevada | Nevada | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nevada | Nevada | 2 | | Pacific | 1 | | | | | | | |
| Stanford, CA | Stanford, CA | Stanford, CA | | Pacific | 1 | | | | | | | |
| Stanford, CA | Stanford, CA | Stanford, CA | 2 | Stanford | 3 | | | | | | | |
| | Sacramento State | 0 | 2 | Stanford | 3 | | | | | | | |
| 2 | Stanford | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |

## Final Four – New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana

| National Semifinals December 19 | National Semifinals December 19 | National Semifinals December 19 | National Championship December 21 | National Championship December 21 | National Championship December 21 |
| 1 | Southern California | 3 | | | |
| 5 | Florida | 1 | | | |
| 5 | Florida | 1 | 1 | Southern California | 3 |
| | | | 2 | Stanford | 1 |
| 3 | Hawaii | 0 | 2 | Stanford | 1 |
| 2 | Stanford | 3 | | | |

## National Semifinals
### Southern California vs. Florida

| Teams | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 |
| USC | 24 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| FLA | 30 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
When Florida took the first set, it was the first time in 6 NCAA Semifinal appearances that a Florida team was able to win a single set. However, the rest didn't go their way as USC won the next three to advance to the national championship. In the deciding fourth set, USC took the 16-8 lead before Florida came back to cut the lead to 19-17, but the Gators were unable to take the lead before USC won the fourth set, 30-24 and the match.

### Stanford vs. Hawaiʻi

| Teams | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
| STAN | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| HAW | 25 | 27 | 24 |
Stanford got a chance to defend their 2001 NCAA title after dismantling Hawaiʻi, 3-0. The 3-0 loss was only Hawaiʻi's second loss of the season, with their other loss coming to Stanford in a 3-0 sweep in the preseason. Ogonna Nnamani led Stanford with 15 kills, while Hawaiʻi was led by Kim Willoughby who had 22 kills.

## National Championship: Southern California vs. Stanford

| Teams | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 |
| USC | 30 | 23 | 30 | 30 |
| STAN | 27 | 30 | 24 | 26 |
USC dethroned defending NCAA national champion Stanford in a 3-1 match to finish the season 31-1, with their only loss coming to Stanford. In set one, USC had 22 kills while Stanford had just 8, leading them to a 30-27 victory. In set two, Stanford came back to take 9 of the first 12 points en route to the easy 30-23.
USC sprinted to the 19-10 lead in set 3, before the Cardinal cut the advantage at 20-17. USC's offense proved to be too much, as they won it 30-24. In set 4, USC cruised out to an early 6-1 lead and then 17-11. The lead soon disappeared, with Stanford tying it up at 19, before USC pulled away again to win the fourth set 30-26 and take home the national title. It was USC's first national championship since 1981, the first year that NCAA started to sponsor women's volleyball.