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© St. Petersburg Times, published December 7, 2001
WHEN/WHERE: Today; University of Nebraska Coliseum, Lincoln.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE: Florida (27-1) vs. Pepperdine (23-3), 6 p.m.; Colorado State (29-3) vs. Nebraska (29-1), 8. The winners play at 8 p.m. Saturday.
TOURNAMENT FAVORITE: Nebraska. The Huskers have advanced to the Final Four seven of the 10 times they have hosted a semifinal and have played in a possible 20 of 21 tournaments. Nebraska is 49-17 in the postseason, third in NCAA history. The Huskers have lost eight games this season, and are led by Big 12 player of the year Nancy Metcalf (4.28 kills, 3.12 digs).
WORTH NOTING: Florida is making its 11th consecutive appearance in the Sweet 16 and is looking to make its sixth Final Four since 1992. The Gators and Pepperdine met once last season, with the Gators losing 3-0. Florida won 25 straight games at one point this season. As a team, UF is outhitting opponents .316 to .095 and has 472 more kills. The Gators have outblocked opponents in 23 straight matches. Pepperdine has won 13 consecutive matches since Oct. 16 and West Coast Conference player of the year Katie Wilkins is averaging 5.03 kills. Colorado State is in its third straight Sweet 16.