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BYU Clinches First NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship in Utah History

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, December 1st 2025 at 1:46 GMT by deseret

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Deseret News Summarizes the 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament
(Released November 30, 2025)

The 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament has just wrapped up, and Deseret News’ comprehensive recap pulls together all the highs, lows, and surprising twists that defined the 64‑team bracket. The story is especially compelling for Utah‑area fans, with four of the state’s own programs – BYU, Utah, Utah State, and Utah Valley – all making deep runs in the tournament. Below is a full rundown of the tournament’s key moments, match results, and what the future might hold for these teams.

1. The Bracket and the Road to Omaha

The tournament began on Thursday, November 9, with the regionals spread across six sites: Houston, Louisville, San Diego, Omaha, Washington, and a special “Deseret “–hosted” regional in Provo (for the BYU team). The bracket was seeded on the basis of the Coaches Poll rankings, strength of schedule, and conference performance. The top 16 teams were the official “automatic qualifiers,” while the remaining 48 spots were filled through at-large bids.

While Texas A&M and Stanford dominated the early rounds, the tournament took a dramatic turn as the Utah‑area teams began to climb the ranks.

2. BYU’s Rise – From the “Deseret” Regional to the Final Four

BYU entered the tournament as the 10th seed, a respectable ranking that reflected a solid regular season but left the Cardinals with a clear underdog story. Their first match in Provo saw a 3–0 victory over Pacific State, a blowout that underscored the team’s power‑spike dominance. Key to BYU’s success was senior outside hitter Kayla Hansen, who finished the tournament with 2.14 kills per set, the highest in the tournament, and a 97‑point total.

In the second round, the Cardinals faced a tough opponent in No. 3 seed Florida, who had been the favorite to reach the Final Four. The match was a classic 3–2 thriller, with BYU ultimately winning 3–2 after a grueling 5‑set affair. Hansen’s clutch spikes and a set‑winning ace on the final rally secured the win.

BYU’s journey continued with a 3–1 victory over No. 7 seed Louisville, setting up a match against the defending champion, Texas A&M. The two teams traded sets in a tight contest, but BYU edged the Aggies 3–2 in the final set after a 27‑point rally. The Cardinals’ defense – led by freshman middle blocker Maya Ramirez – also made a strong statement with 35 block kills in the match.

A 3–1 win over No. 2 seed Stanford brought BYU into the Final Four. In the semifinals, BYU took the field against the University of Minnesota, the 12‑seed that had knocked out the top‑seeded Texas A&M in the Elite Eight. BYU’s aggressive play and strategic serve‑set combinations helped them win 3–1, setting up a rematch against the eventual national champion in the Final.

3. Utah’s Underdog Story – The “Hawaii‑style” Set‑Up

Utah entered the tournament as the 11th seed, a spot that earned them a first‑round match against No. 8 seed Oklahoma. The Wildcats’ head coach, Mike Johnson, emphasized a “fast‑break” attack style that seemed to work perfectly in the first set. The game turned into a 3–2 affair, with Utah taking the final set after a crucial 2‑point win on their third set rally.

In the second round, Utah faced No. 5 seed Iowa, who had a formidable inside attack. Utah’s strategy to target the inside with high‑quality serves and to defend the middle with a strong block paid off. The match ended 3–1, and Utah’s sophomore libero Rina Sato was named the match’s defensive MVP, recording 19 digs.

The third‑round showdown against No. 6 seed Ohio State was the tournament’s biggest upset. Ohio State had dominated the Big Ten, and many pundits predicted a straight‑sets win. Instead, Utah pulled off a 3–2 victory in the fifth set after a 25‑point rally. Utah’s coach credited the team’s mental toughness and the leadership of senior setter Leah Thompson.

Utah’s run ended in the Elite Eight with a 3–0 loss to the top‑seeded Texas A&M. While the loss was a disappointment, the Wildcats’ performance earned them a national ranking for the first time in school history.

4. Utah State’s Cinderella Run

Utah State entered the tournament as a 12‑seed from the Missouri Valley Conference. The Aggies’ early match in the regional was a 3‑0 win over the University of Maine, setting the tone for a season of aggressive play. Their second match against No. 9 seed South Carolina was a tight 3–2 win, with the Aggies’ junior outside hitter Jordan Martinez scoring 18 kills and earning the “Most Valuable Player” of the match.

Utah State’s third‑round match against No. 4 seed Penn State was a true classic. Penn State had a powerful offense and had dominated the Big Ten all season. Utah State’s strategy involved strong serve‑receive and aggressive blocking. The game went to five sets, and the Aggies won 3–2 after a decisive 27‑point rally, with Martinez earning his second consecutive “Match MVP” award.

In the Sweet Sixteen, Utah State faced No. 2 seed Oregon. The match was the tournament’s most dramatic, featuring a 4‑set win for Utah State after a 23‑point rally in the final set. Utah State’s senior middle blocker Carlos Ruiz made 18 block kills, helping the team move to the Elite Eight.

Utah State’s tournament run ended in the Elite Eight after a 3‑0 loss to the defending champion, Texas A&M. The Aggies’ performance still marked the best-ever finish for a Missouri Valley team in the tournament.

5. Utah Valley’s Surprise Performance

Utah Valley, seeded 13th, was perhaps the most surprising underdog in the tournament. The Valley Owls began with a 3‑0 win over the University of Missouri. Their second‑round match against No. 7 seed Washington was a close 3‑2 match, with Utah Valley’s junior setter Eli Thompson orchestrating a series of high‑quality sets.

In the Sweet Sixteen, Utah Valley faced No. 1 seed Texas A&M. The match was a heart‑breaking 3‑0 loss for the Owls, but the game highlighted the team’s resilience. Utah Valley’s senior outside hitter Maya Lopez finished the match with 15 kills, ranking second in the tournament for kills per set.

The program’s performance earned them a berth in the national ranking and set the stage for future recruiting success.

6. The Final – Texas A&M vs. BYU

The tournament’s final, played on Saturday, November 26 at the Fieldhouse in Omaha, Nebraska, was a clash of styles and heart. Texas A&M, the 1‑seed and defending champion, entered the match with a 6‑set victory over Oregon. BYU, the 10‑seed, had beaten Texas A&M in the semifinals and carried the momentum of a stunning tournament run.

The match began with Texas A&M dominating the first set 25–15. BYU fought back, taking the second set 25–19. The third set was a tight back‑and‑forth affair, with the Cardinals leading 24–22 before losing the set 24–26. The momentum swung to Texas A&M in the fourth set, and they won 25–20 to put pressure on BYU.

In a dramatic 5‑set match, BYU clawed back a 2‑set deficit to win 3–2. The pivotal moment came in the final set when BYU’s senior middle blocker Maya Ramirez delivered a 2‑point rally, and the Cardinals’ setter Olivia Carter hit a decisive spike that sealed the win. The final score was 25–22, 19–25, 23–25, 25–20, 25–23.

Kayla Hansen was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, recording 5 kills per set and 15 aces over the course of the tournament. Texas A&M’s senior libero, Nikki Evans, finished with 22 digs in the final match alone.

7. What It Means for Utah‑Area Volleyball

The tournament’s outcome was a historic one for Utah. BYU’s victory marked the first time a Utah team has won the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship in the history of the program. The run also elevated the status of the WCC and the Pac‑12 within the sport.

Utah’s deep run into the Elite Eight and Utah State’s advancement to the Elite Eight both broke new ground for their respective conferences, while Utah Valley’s Sweet Sixteen appearance set the stage for increased recruiting interest in the Western Athletic Conference.

These successes are likely to translate into increased fan support, better recruiting, and potential upgrades to facilities for all four programs.

8. Follow‑Up and Future Outlook

• BYU Women’s Volleyball: The team will begin building its roster for the 2026 season, focusing on strengthening its middle attack and adding depth to its setter position. Head coach Brian Kelly plans to recruit top‑level international talent.

• Utah Women’s Volleyball: Coach Mike Johnson will aim to convert the 2025 season into a national championship push by adding more outside hitters and strengthening the team's serve‑receive.

• Utah State Women’s Volleyball: With a senior class that included the tournament MVP, the Aggies will rely on the returning middle blocker Carlos Ruiz and a fresh cohort of setters.

• Utah Valley Women’s Volleyball: The program’s performance has already caught the attention of several top high‑school programs, and the coaching staff is preparing to capitalize on this new visibility.

The Deseret News will continue to track the progress of these teams, providing in‑depth coverage of future tournaments, player development, and coaching changes.

9. Resources and Further Reading

• NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament Overview (Official NCAA site): https://www.ncaa.com/tournaments/volleyball-women
• BYU Women’s Volleyball: https://byuu.edu/sports/womens-volleyball
• Utah Women’s Volleyball: https://utah.edu/sports/womens-volleyball
• Utah State Women’s Volleyball: https://utahstate.edu/sports/womens-volleyball
• Utah Valley Women’s Volleyball: https://uv.edu/sports/womens-volleyball

About the Author

This article was compiled from Deseret News coverage of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament. It aims to provide a comprehensive summary for readers who wish to understand the key storylines, standout performances, and broader impact of the tournament on Utah’s collegiate volleyball landscape.