Sixty-four team NCAA volleyball tournament starts Thursday, with Pitt earning the No. 1 overall seed

The GIST: The field is, ahem, set — 64 teams will compete in the single-elimination NCAA volleyball tournament starting tomorrow. Here’s what you need to know before the first serve.

The No. 1 seeds: No. 1 overall seed Pitt has been the team to beat all season, with just one loss way back on October 12th. But the Panthers aren’t the only powerhouse to watch — all of the No. 1 seeds have a rich history of bumping, setting, and spiking through opponents.

• Penn State’s won seven titles, Nebraska’s notched five, and Louisville has 33 NCAA tourney appearances. Queens of the court, indeed.

Other teams to watch: The No. 3 seed Texas Longhorns are coming off back-to-back NCAA titles, led by fifth-year senior Madisen Skinner. The outside hitter delivered a signature performance in last season’s final, posting 16 kills against aforementioned Nebraska. Lethal.

• Don’t count out No. 2 seed Wisconsin, either. The Badgers impressed in a competitive Big Ten (alongside Penn State and Nebraska) and are seeking their first title since 2021.

• As for an underdog contender, No. 4 seed Oregon’s never won a ’ship, but the Ducks — who made it all the way to the quarter-finals last year — have been a tournament mainstay, appearing 17 times in the last 19 years. Can they quack up some magic this season?