Coming into the 2020-21 volleyball season, it was expected that Omaha would host the Final Four. But last month, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced that the entire tournament will be held at the CHI Health Center and in the Convention Centers.
The first and second round dates are still to be determined, but the Final Four will take place on April 22 and April 24.
“It’s a cool opportunity for Omaha and the state. I think it’s probably the best way to make sure it all gets played,” said Omaha volleyball head coach Matt Buttermore.
The decision was made by the NCAA in order to ensure the health and safety for all teams that will be participating.
“I think we have a high level of confidence for the events that we had back in the building. We had increased sanitization efforts, we have constantly roaming crews, we are constantly wiping down touch points, we have signage and markers throughout the building to encourage social distancing and remind people about that mask mandate,” said Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority director Kristyna Engdahl.
Omaha volleyball has never made the NCAA tournament, but hopes are up now that the city will be hosting all of the tournament.
“It’s our goal, which is, to make the tournament. So it would be really special. It’s not the only reason we work hard in the gym but it is a reason,” said Buttermore .
This will be the fourth time that Omaha hosts the NCAA Volleyball tournament. The city previously hosted in 2015, 2008 and 2006.
