SEATTLE – The long college volleyball season hits the homestretch next week, with the race to the Final Four in Omaha beginning at sixteen sites around the country. As expected, Washington was chosen as a host for the NCAA first and second rounds, as the Huskies were awarded the No. 5 overall seed in the tournament and will open against the University of Denver this Friday.

This is the 14th straight season the Huskies are headed for postseason play, and the fourth straight year they have been chosen to host the NCAA first and second rounds. The Dawgs have advanced through to the round of 16 for the past three years, reaching the Final Four in 2013.

“Absolutely excited, absolutely fired up to get going,” said Washington's first year Head Coach Keegan Cook , on getting set for his first chance to lead the Dawgs through the postseason. “I couldn't be looking forward to getting into the practice gym any more than I am. I'm very proud of what this team has done and I don't think they've played their best volleyball yet.”

Washington's first round opponent are the Denver Pioneers, the champions of the Summit League for the second year in a row. Also making the trip to Seattle along with Denver is Michigan State out of the Big Ten, and Arkansas State, the champions of the Sun Belt Conference.

Tickets are on sale now for the first and second rounds. Michigan State and Arkansas State will be the first match on Friday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. Pacific time. The Huskies and Pioneers will then play at 7:30 p.m. The winners of Friday's matches will then play on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. for a spot in the round of 16.

Washington was placed in the Lexington, Kentucky region, a region that also includes No. 4-seed Nebraska, No. 12 Ohio State, and No. 13 BYU.

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On Saturday, the Huskies clinched a share of their fourth Pac-12 title and second in the past three years by sweeping Washington State. The Dawgs finished the regular season at 28-2 and 18-2 in conference play for the third year in a row. It's the first time the Huskies have shared a conference title, splitting it with USC.

“They're ready,” said Cook. “We've got to go through our preparation and practices and continue to do the things that we do. But they're ready to make something special out of this tournament.”

First- and second-round matches will be played at 16 campus sites. Teams winning both matches will move on to regional play December 11 and 12. The pre-determined regional sites are Austin, Texas, Des Moines, Iowa, Lexington, Kentucky, and San Diego. All regional semifinal matches will be shown on ESPN3. Regional final matches will air on ESPNU.

The regional winners will advance to the semifinals and final hosted by Nebraska at CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska on December 17 and 19. Both national semifinal matches as well as the championship match will be broadcast by ESPN2.

The Big Ten Conference led all leagues with nine teams selected to compete in the championship tournament. The Pac-12 Conference was next with seven teams advancing while the Big 12 Conference will have five teams compete in the field of 64.

NCAA Volleyball Championships - First and Second Rounds

Alaska Airlines Arena



Dec. 4 – First Round

Michigan State vs. Arkansas State, 5 p.m. PT

(5) Washington vs. Denver, 7:30 p.m. PT



Dec. 5 – Second Round

Winners of Dec. 4 matches, 7 p.m. PT