Penn State Nittany Lions

Record:23-7 Head coach:Russ Rose (33rd season, 1,056-171)

Notes:Four-time defending national champions and five-time champions overall, second-most in NCAA history. ... At-large berth after finishinig tied for second in Big Ten. First at-large berth since 2002 ... Lowest seed for tournament since 2003 when they were 11th. ... Lions have as many losses this season (7) as previous four seasons combined. ... Enters on five-match win streak and

having won 12 of last 14. ... Also enters

with 24-match postseason win streak. ...

Penn State and Stanford are only programs to have played in every NCAA tournament since they began in 1981. ... Has 10-6 record vs. NCAA field this season. ... Katie Slay is 10th in the nation in blocks per set (1.44) and 16th in hitting (.390). ... PSU is 17th in nation in hitting (.262) and 18th in blocks per set (2.70). ... MB Slay was Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and S Micha Hancock was Big Ten Freshman of the Year. ... Hancock set the Penn State record for aces in a season (87) and is second in the nation for aces per set (0.78). ... Other leaders include Deja McClendon (3.59 kills per set), Ariel Scott (3.48 kps), Katie Slay (2.12 kps), Nia Grant (0.91 bps), Ali Longo (3.31 digs per set), Hancock (10.37 assists per set).

Liberty Flames

Record:20-12 Head coach:Shane Pinder (Eighth season, 149-112)

Notes:Making sixth NCAA appearance and first since 2008. ... NCAA automatic bid as Big South Conference champions. ... Last two NCAA apperances produced 3-1 first-round losses to No. 7 California (2007) and No. 4 Nebraska (2008). ... 0-2 all-time record vs. PSU, with 3-0 losses in 1989 and 1990, and 0-6 all-time vs. Big Ten. ... Has 0-3 record vs. NCAA field (3-0 losses to Oregon, Western Michigan and 3-1 loss to North Carolina). ... Enters tournament on four-match win streak and winners of 11 of last 12. ... Loren Thomas is 27th in nation in blocking (1.32 bps). ... Other leaders include: Lillie Happel (3.39 kps, 33 aces), Thomas (2.31 kps), Kendle Rollins (.362, 1.05 bps), Jade Craycraft (7.48 aps, 30 aces), Kelly Haseman (4.42 dps).

Delaware Blue Hens

Record:20-12 Head coach:Bonnie Kenny (10th season, 192-122; 28th overall, 532-374)

Notes:Making fourth NCAA appearance in last five years, losing 3-0 to Virginia Tech last year in first round at Rec

Hall. ... Has not advanced to NCAA second

round since 2007. ... NCAA bid as

Colonial Athletic Association champions. ... Has 5-1 record against NCAA tournament teams, with lone win 3-1 over Sacred Heart. Losses include NCAA seeds Stanford, Oregon, Florida State

and Northern Iowa. ... Delaware averages

1.20 aces per set. ... Leaders

include Katie Hank (3.25 kps, 28 aces), Alissa Alker (3.10 kps, 32 aces, 3.15 dps), Chelsea Lawrence (.267, 0.99 bps), Karina Evans (1.03 bps), Rene Tomko (10.69 aps, 30 aces), Cara Rose-hill (4.19 dps).

American Eagles

Record:23-10 Head coach:Barry Goldberg (23rd season, 568-213)

Notes:Making second straight NCAA appearance, 10th in last 11 years and 12th overall. Eagles are still looking for

first NCAA win. ... NCAA bid as Patriot

League champions. ... Enters tournament

on 10-match win streak and has won 18 of last 19. The Eagles have lost only five sets in last 10 matches. ... Has 1-5 record against NCAA teams, with lone win 3-1 over Niagara. Has 3-0 losses to seeded teams Oregon and Tennessee. ... American is 19th in nation in hitting (.262). ... Roster includes freshman defensive specialist and State College graduate Alaina Del Real, who has one ace and two digs in 15 appearances this season.Was teammates with Penn State’s Maggie Harding. ... Goldberg, a Pittsburgh native, played volleyball at Pitt before the program was cut as a varsity sport. ... Eagles run 6-2 offense with setters Monika Smidova and Alexandra Hammer. ...Team is led by Patriot Player and Rookie of the Year Sara Rishell (3.15 kps, .317, 24 aces, 1.03 bps). ... Other leaders are Juliana Crum (3.01 kps, 45 aces, 2.59 dps), Smidova (5.60 aps, 2.48 dps, 46 aces), Hammer (6.25 aps).