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.