Just 10 programs have won a national title in the 39-year history of the NCAA DI women's volleyball championship. Of those 10 programs, nine are multiple-time winners.
Stanford won its second-straight title in 2019, improving its all-time lead to nine total championships. The Cardinal's victory over Nebraska in the 2018 women’s volleyball championship was a battle amongst two of college volleyball’s all-time powerhouses.
2019 RECAP: How Stanford won its ninth national championship
Washington defeated Nebraska — our third-winningest championship team of all-time — in 2005, becoming the lone program with just one national title to its name. Let’s take a look at the programs with the most women’s volleyball championships.
9 — Stanford (1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2016, 2018, 2019)
Stanford has been on a tear of late, with back-to-back titles and three in the past four seasons. Not only does the Cardinal have the most national championships, they have the most national runners-up seasons with eight as well, including a run of three straight from 2006 to 2008. Stanford has made 39 NCAA tournament appearances, reaching the semifinals 22 times to go along with all those titles.
STANFORD LEGENDS: Watch Kerri Walsh's NCAA highlights at Stanford
7 — Penn State (1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014)
While there have been a few repeat champions in women’s volleyball, none had the run that the Nittany Lions had from 2007 to 2010. Four national championships in a row, including two of the five perfect seasons in women’s volleyball lore, all equate to arguably the most dominant four years in the sport's history. The beginning of the run featured back-to-back title matches against Stanford.
5 — Nebraska (1995, 2000, 2006, 2015, 2017)
The Huskers made their 15th national semifinals appearance in the 2018 season before losing to Stanford in the national championship match. Nebraska has become a steady presence deep into the NCAA tournament since its first title in 1995, making seven championship match appearances since then.
WATCH: Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins talks team aspirations following 2019 season
4 — UCLA (1984, 1990, 1991, 2011)
The Bruins just missed twice in the early days of NCAA women’s volleyball, finishing as national runners-up in the inaugural 1981 championship match and then again two years later to Hawaii. Finally, Andy Banachowski and his crew broke through in 1984 and he and the Bruins won two more before waiting 20 years until another UCLA title came around.
Three’s a crowd: Tie between USC, LBSU and Hawaii
Southern California (1981, 2002, 2003): The Trojans will always be the first-ever champions and 21 years later Mick Haley led them to repeat titles in 2002 and 2003.
Long Beach State (1989, 1993, 1998): From 1989 to 2001, The Beach appeared in five title matches, winning three times. The 1998 victory over Penn State concluded with the first perfect season (36-0) in NCAA women’s volleyball history.
Hawaii (1982, 1983, 1987): Dave Shoji led Hawaii in becoming the first repeat national champions in NCAA women’s volleyball history with wins over Southern California and UCLA. Hawaii went 67-3 over that dominating run.
Two tied at two:
Texas (1988, 2012): No team had to wait longer than the Longhorns between both titles, waiting 24 years to claim their second crown. The first title was led by the same Mick Haley that took Southern California to repeat championships nearly 20 years later.
Pacific (1985, 1986): Pacific went 75-6 between 1985 and 1986 to claim its only two national championships. Those teams were led by John Dunning before he headed to Stanford.
Here's the complete history of the NCAA women's volleyball championship match.
| YEAR | CHAMPION (RECORD) | COACH | SCORE | RUNNER-UP | SITE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Stanford (30-4) | Kevin Hambly | 3-0 | Wisconsin | Pittsburgh |
| 2018 | Stanford (34-1) | Kevin Hambly | 3-2 | Nebraska | Minneapolis |
| 2017 | Nebraska (32-4) | John Cook | 3-1 | Florida | Kansas City |
| 2016 | Stanford (26-7) | John Dunning | 3-1 | Texas | Columbus |
| 2015 | Nebraska (32-4) | John Cook | 3-0 | Texas | Omaha |
| 2014 | Penn State (36-3) | Russ Rose | 3-0 | BYU | Oklahoma City |
| 2013 | Penn State (34-2) | Russ Rose | 3-1 | Wisconsin | Seattle |
| 2012 | Texas (29-4) | Jerritt Elliott | 3-0 | Oregon | Louisville |
| 2011 | UCLA (29-6) | Michael Sealy | 3-1 | Illinois | San Antonio, Texas |
| 2010 | Penn State (32-5) | Russ Rose | 3-0 | California | UMKC |
| 2009 | Penn State (38-0) | Russ Rose | 3-2 | Texas | South Florida |
| 2008 | Penn State (38-0) | Russ Rose | 3-0 | Stanford | Nebraska |
| 2007 | Penn State (34-2) | Russ Rose | 3-2 | Stanford | Sacramento State |
| 2006 | Nebraska (33-1) | John Cook | 3-1 | Stanford | Nebraska |
| 2005 | Washington (32-1) | Jim McLaughlin | 3-0 | Nebraska | UTSA |
| 2004 | Stanford (30-6) | John Dunning | 3-0 | Minnesota | Long Beach State |
| 2003 | Southern California (35-0) | Mick Haley | 3-1 | Florida | Dallas |
| 2002 | Southern California (31-1) | Mick Haley | 3-1 | Stanford | New Orleans |
| 2001 | Stanford (33-2) | John Dunning | 3-0 | Long Beach State | San Diego State |
| 2000 | Nebraska (34-0) | John Cook | 3-2 | Wisconsin | VCU |
| 1999 | Penn State (36-1) | Russ Rose | 3-0 | Stanford | Hawaii |
| 1998 | Long Beach State (36-0) | Brian Gimmillaro | 3-2 | Penn State | Wisconsin |
| 1997 | Stanford (33-2) | Don Shaw | 3-2 | Penn State | Washington State |
| 1996 | Stanford (31-2) | Don Shaw | 3-0 | Hawaii | Cleveland State |
| 1995 | Nebraska (32-1) | Terry Pettit | 3-1 | Texas | Massachusetts |
| 1994 | Stanford (31-2) | Don Shaw | 3-1 | UCLA | Texas |
| 1993 | Long Beach State (32-2) | Brian Gimmillaro | 3-1 | Penn State | Wisconsin |
| 1992 | Stanford (31-2) | Don Shaw | 3-1 | UCLA | New Mexico |
| 1991 | UCLA (31-5) | Andy Banachowski | 3-2 | Long Beach State | UCLA |
| 1990 | UCLA (36-1) | Andy Banachowski | 3-0 | Pacific | Maryland |
| 1989 | Long Beach State (32-5) | Brian Gimmillaro | 3-0 | Nebraska | Hawaii |
| 1988 | Texas (34-5) | Mick Haley | 3-0 | Hawaii | Minnesota |
| 1987 | Hawaii (37-2) | Dave Shoji | 3-1 | Stanford | Indianapolis |
| 1986 | Pacific (39-3) | John Dunning | 3-0 | Nebraska | Pacific |
| 1985 | Pacific (36-3) | John Dunning | 3-1 | Stanford | Western Michigan |
| 1984 | UCLA (33-6) | Andy Banachowski | 3-2 | Stanford | UCLA |
| 1983 | Hawaii (34-2) | Dave Shoji | 3-0 | UCLA | Kentucky |
| 1982 | Hawaii (33-1) | Dave Shoji | 3-2 | Southern California | Pacific |
| 1981 | Southern California (27-10) | Chuck Erbe | 3-2 | UCLA | UCLA |
