CSU VOLLEYBALL

CSU still has shot at hosting NCAA volleyball matches

Kevin Lytle
kevinlytle@coloradoan.com

Tom Hilbert built room for mistakes into the CSU volleyball team's schedule this season.

The Rams went 28-1 in the regular season in 2013 but didn't host NCAA tournament games because of a weak RPI.

This season Colorado State University is still in position to possibly host first- and second-round games despite a loss the UNLV over the weekend.

The difference is the nonconference schedule the Rams played in 2014. Scheduling a tough slate outside of Mountain West play was a focus for coach Tom Hilbert to try and boost his teams chances of hosting.

"It certainly was (a focus) this year," Hilbert said. "Playing Marquette (21st) helps, Northern Colorado (102nd) and Denver (104th) help. Those are good teams to play."

In addition to those teams, the Rams also faced some of the top competition in the country. Wisconsin handed CSU — now down three spots to No. 10 in the AVCA coaches poll — its only nonconference loss.

But the fact that the Badgers are 20-2 and ranked fifth in the RPI helps boost CSU's RPI. In addition to the wins over Marquette, UNC and DU, the Rams beat BYU (28th in RPI) and Arizona State (32nd) in nonconference play.

The Rams had only one win against a top-50 RPI team last season.

CSU's RPI has been hurt by teams like Pepperdine, which is a surprising 9-15 overall and the overall weakness of the MW has hurt the Rams.

The Rams rose a spot to No. 13 in the RPI because UNLV is 20-6 and 57th in RPI, so a loss to the Rebels isn't a "bad" loss by RPI calculations.

Now CSU will have to hope its RPI doesn't slide too much with matches against Fresno State (242), Air Force (217), San Jose State (314) and Nevada (247) looming.

The Rams also have matches against New Mexico (73) and Wyoming (55) in the final six MW matches of the season. Winning all six matches will have CSU right on the edge of possibly hosting, while a loss likely ends any shot at it.

The top 16 RPI teams are likely to host NCAA tournament action. Hilbert wishes it wasn't on the mind of his players, but knows that's not realistic.

"I tell the players our No. 1 goal is to win the Mountain West. These guys want to host an NCAA game. So do I and our fans want to," Hilbert said. "It has an aura that goes beyond the Mountain West. I think you shouldn't do that, you should focus on winning your conference then let things go the way they may but it's impossible to avoid."

CSU has a 2.5 game lead on UNLV atop the MW. The Rams only match this week is at 8 p.m. Thursday at Fresno State.

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle at twitter.com/Kevin_Lytle and at facebook.com/KevinSLytle.

RPI at a glance

What is it? Formula used to calculate rankings based on a team's winning percentage (25 percent), its opponents' winning percentage (50 percent) and the winning percentage of its opponents' opponents (25 percent).

Why is it important? Top 16 ranked volleyball teams are likely to host first- and second-round NCAA tournament matches.

CSU's RPI: 13

Best RPI opponents for CSU: Wisconsin (5th, loss), Marquette (21st, won), BYU (28th, won), Arizona State (32nd, won).

Worst RPI opponents for CSU: Fresno State (242), Air Force (217), San Jose State (314), Nevada (247)

Next up: No. 10 at Fresno State, 8 p.m. Thursday.