Let's not call Stanford the Buffalo Bills of college volleyball, OK? 

The Cardinal have lost in the last three finals, but it's not like they're chokers.  Far from it.  In each of the  past three  seasons, one can make  the case that they weren't supposed to win.  They weren't favored in any of those matches.  Last year?  Maybe.  But look at how great that Penn State team turned out this year - 38-0, 114-2 in sets played and will go down as one of the greatest teams of all-time.  

The frustration showed after the  match was over.  Not a lot of tears, but Alex Fisher drew a cheer from her teammates as she popped one of those  balloons.  Hey, she's a senior.  This losing in the final has got to be old.  But they've got nothing to be ashamed of.

The all-tournament  team is  being announced: Destinee Hooker, Texas; Jordan Larson, Nebraska; Alix Klineman, Stanford; Cynthia Barboza, Stanford; Alisha Glass, Penn State; Nicole Fawcett, Penn State; Megan Hodge, Penn State.  Hodge, who led with 16 kills in the final, was named most outstanding player for the second straight year.

Also outstanding, the crowd of 14,299.  There seemed like there were more than that.

So that does it from Omaha.  What an event.  What a season.  Who will be the final four participants next year in St. Petersburg, Fla?  Let the debate rage on. 

Until then, thanks for reading!  It's been a pleasure from this end to have you.

Only fitting that Nicole Fawcett ends the match.  The national player of the year's kill off the block gives PSU the 25-23 win and its second straight national crown.

Now  the Nittany Lions are mugging for  the  cameras, and coach Russ Rose is doing a quick TV interview with volleyball legend Karch Kiraly.  So is Megan Hodge.

But here's a weird scene: all the celebratory balloons and confetti came pouring down on the  Stanford side.  The Cardinal have got to be  wondering what that's all about.  The Nittany Lions look good in their national title T-shirts and hats. 

The debate raged in the Omaha area.  Would the city support the NCAA final four if Nebraska was not in the event?

Of course, the building was sold out for Thursday night's  semis, which featured the Huskers.  But when  they lost, some in the  news media were predicting a crowd of less than 10,000 for the final.  Nebraska coach John Cook said Friday he wanted  to see the people of Omaha "finish off" the event.  Yes, it would be freezing outside, but with such a bad economy, why not go to the  match?  After all, the people had paid a  lot of  money for the all-session ticket. 

An official crowd hasn't been announced yet, but the fans certainly got Cook's message.  There are few empty seats, likely a crowd  of over 16,000.  Yes, Omaha, Nebraska, loves volleyball, and  the NCAA couldn't be happier.  The final four will be back here sooner than later.  

PSU just won a great rally to take set two 26-24.  We're going to assume that this set is over.

it appears they're going to replay the last point.  It's 20-19 PSU.  The  PSU fans are yelling "21."  What is this - volleyball or blackjack?  Guys, the casino's three minutes from here.

OK, a double block gives PSU a 21-19 lead, and now the PSU fans are chanting "22." 

Yes, the PSU faithful are chanting "Fix the scoreboard" after the arena scoreboard operator gave Stanford a point instead of the Nittany Lions.  The  score should be 21-19 PSU instead of the 20-20 mark on the board.

Play has been stopped.  Both coaches are kidding around with each other at midcourt.  Both bands have started competing at who can be the  loudest.  Now some rowdy Nebraska fans have thrown in their two cents with a "Husker Power" chant.  The several hundred in the PSU section have just started yelling "21-19."  Thanks, guys.  We already knew that.  Oh, my!  The Stanford  section has just tried starting the wave.  Thankfully, it was just a ripple.