Sun Devils Set to Host NCAA Volleyball Tournament First and Second Rounds in Tempe
Arizona State University’s Desert Financial Arena will be a hub of collegiate volleyball action this week as the No. 2 seed Sun Devil Volleyball team hosts the first and second rounds of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. ASU will face Coppin State in the opening round on Thursday, December 4th, at 7 p.m. MST, with the match broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Sun Devils (26-3, 17-1 Big 12) enter the tournament riding a wave of success, having secured back-to-back Big 12 titles in just their second season in the conference. This marks their third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and the 22nd in program history. Head coach JJ Van Niel has quickly established a winning culture, leading the team to a remarkable 32-4 record at home during his three seasons.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting,” a senior official stated. “The energy in Desert Financial Arena will be electric, and we’re ready to showcase the incredible talent of this team.”
Thursday’s schedule also features a matchup between No. 7 seed Tennessee (20-7, 10-5 SEC) and Utah State (23-7, 18-0 MWC) at 4:30 p.m. MST. The winners of both contests will advance to the second round, scheduled for Friday, December 5th, at 6 p.m. MST. The ultimate victor will then move on to the regional semifinal, taking place December 11-14, with the national semifinals and championship slated for December 18th and 21st, respectively, in Kansas City.
Sun Devil Dominance and Key Players
Arizona State’s impressive season has been fueled by exceptional individual performances. Junior opposite Noemie Glover has emerged as a national star, earning recognition as an AVCA National Player of the Year Semifinalist and being named Big 12 Player of the Year – a first in program history. Glover has consistently delivered, reaching double-digit kills in all but one match this season, including a career-high 31 against Colorado.
Leading the defensive charge is graduate middle blocker Colby Neal, who was recently drafted 13th overall by the Orlando Valkyries in the 2025 Major League Volleyball Draft. Neal currently leads the Big 12 with 162 blocks, ranking eighth nationally.
Van Niel’s impact extends beyond individual accolades. He has been named Big 12 Coach of the Year in each of his three seasons and has guided the Sun Devils to unprecedented success, including the fastest 50 wins for any coach in team history. Under his leadership, ASU has produced five All-Americans and three major year-end Big 12 award winners.
Tournament Opponents and Key Matchups
Coppin State (23-11, 13-1 MEAC) earned their tournament bid by winning the MEAC tournament, marking their second appearance in the last three years. This will be the first-ever meeting between Arizona State and the Eagles.
Tennessee, ranked No. 18 in the AVCA Coaches Poll, brings a 20-7 record and a wealth of tournament experience, having made five consecutive appearances. The all-time series between ASU and Tennessee is tied at 2-2, with the Volunteers winning their last encounter in 2003.
Utah State enters the tournament as the Mountain West Conference Tournament Champion, boasting an impressive 23-7 record and a perfect 18-0 conference record. Arizona State holds a 7-3 advantage in the all-time series against the Aggies, having last defeated them in 2017.
Fan Information and How to Follow
Fans planning to attend the tournament can enjoy free parking in lot 59, while structure parking will be available for a fee. Tickets, with assigned seating in the lower bowl and general admission in the upper bowl, can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
The matches will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats also available. Fans can stay updated on social media by following @SunDevilVB on X and @sundevilvolleyball on Instagram. Further information can be found on the official tournament website.
The Sun Devils are poised for a strong tournament run, fueled by their dominant regular season, exceptional talent, and the enthusiastic support of their home crowd.
