We're in for some good matches this weekend down in Tampa. The best semi-final match-up is Penn State vs. Hawaii. I think the Rainbow Wahine are hungry and still want to prove they deserved better than a #12 seed, so I think they will perform well against the Nittany Lions. If they serve well and get Penn State out of system, they may be able to score points. Hawaii will play loose and without the pressure that Penn State has on its shoulders. But Penn State is the stronger team and they'll win this match in four sets.

Texas should be able to take Minnesota fairly easily. The only question mark is whether they will play up to their potential or if their confidence issues will come home to roost. I think they'll come ready to play and I predict that Texas wins this match in three sets.

That leaves only the finals. Texas vs. Penn State, the match we've all been waiting for. The pressure is definitely on Penn State, but that doesn't seem to phase them. They do what they need to do to win and they are on a mission. On paper, I think they win this match. But that did not stop me from picking Texas in my own personal bracket. I love a good upset and I think Texas has the goods to make it happen. I admit, it is a bit of a long shot, but I pick Texas in five.

This weekend's Final Four is getting the most attention because it could be the first time one school has won three straight national championships. But it will also go down as the first time ever that not one single team from the state of California will compete for the title.

The fact that there are no Cali teams in this Final Four could mean that the NCAA has finally achieved its goal of parity. The level of volleyball around the country has risen significantly and this year's championship will mark the fifth straight year without a California champ. Could it be that volleyball is no longer dominated by the west coast?

I find this quite shocking in a year in which the Pac-10 had a particularly strong season with eight teams in the top 25 most of the year, all of which made the playoffs.

Let me just throw some stats at you to back my point. Pac-10 conference teams have appeared in all but two Final Fours and been the national champs in 13 of them. California teams have won 18 of the 28 championships. This year, most of the Pac-10 teams made unexpected early exits from the tournament.

In the two years that Pac-10 teams did not appear in the Final Four (1998 & 1993), California still had a representative in Long Beach State. Not so this year, as the 49ers lost in the first round. Hawaii is the lone west coast representative and they are not favored to win. A significant development, indeed.

The women's Final Four teams are now set and the field looks about as expected. Penn State, Hawaii and Texas will be joined this weekend in Tampa by the one slight surprise of the Regionals, Minnesota.

#11 seed Minnesota took out #3 seed Florida State fairly easily in Minneapolis, but I doubt they will be able to take Texas in the semi-finals. Texas looked sharp and determined after a shaky first set against Nebraska in Omaha.

Penn State continued to roll over everyone in their path so far, but I think Hawaii could give them a run for their money in the semi-final. They Rainbow Wahine are not as big as Penn State though and that will hurt them unless they can keep Penn State off balance. How Hawaii ended up as the #12 seed in this tournament is still beyond me.

More than anything, I want to see some good matches and am hoping no team is able to cruise to the championship. I'd love to see a team challenge the Nittany Lions on their way to their place in history and I think if anyone can, it will be Texas. I pick Penn State and Texas for the finals and that has the potential to be a great match.

You can catch the semifinals on Thursday, December 17th at 7 and 9 PM Eastern. The finals air Saturday the 19th at 8 PM Eastern. Both matches will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Only 16 teams remain in the tournament and this weekend brings the Regional Semis and Finals. We are getting ever closer to the Final Four in Tampa.

Most of the favorites are still alive, but we are about to see them put to the test. This weekend Penn State will face Florida and most likely Cal. The undefeated Nittany Lions should be able to contain both squads to head to the Final Four.

In the Stanford Regional, Hawaii will face Illinois and Stanford takes on Michigan. If all goes as expected we'll see a Stanford - Hawaii re-match. Hawaii won the only time these two met this season, but that was way back in August.

The Minneapolis Regional has some surprises in it. Florida State will take on Kentucky. This Kentucky squad took out Michigan State and Oregon to get to this point, so we'll see if they have what it takes to give third seed Florida State a run for its money. The 11 seed, Minnesota, will take on Colorado State who beat Washington fairly easily to get to the semis.

The Iowa State - Nebraska semi should be a good match up in the Omaha Regional. But Texas should be able to get past Texas A&M to play the winner.

My prediction for the Final Four -- Penn State, Hawaii, Florida State and Texas.