Volleyball 2025

Women's Volleyball Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Gannon Named No. 1 Seed in Atlantic Regional, to Host Tournament for Fourth Straight Year

Golden Knights face CIAA champion Fayetteville State in quarterfinals

ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon volleyball team will make its 16th straight NCAA Tournament appearance as the NCAA this evening announced the 64-team field for the NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Tournament.

For the fourth consecutive year the path to the Elite Eight will go through Erie, Pa. as the Golden Knights received the number one seed and will host the Division II Atlantic Regional. The regional will be held at the Highmark Events Center from Thursday, December 4 to Saturday, December 6. Gannon seeks its ninth trip to the Elite Eight and sixth under head coach Matt Darling, who is concluding his 18th year at the helm.

Gannon is in search of its second straight Atlantic Regional crown and fourth in five years. A year ago the Golden Knights defeated region rival Wheeling in the finals by a 3-1 score.

This year may be a little sweeter for Darling who had to replace four honorable mention All-Americans and opened the season against the defending national champions. A youthful roster spiced with experience grew as the year went on and posted a 24-7 record. The Golden Knights finished as the Western Division regular season champion at 13-1.

Gannon advanced to the PSAC championship game this past Saturday following wins over West Chester and Pitt-Johnstown. But the Golden Knights dropped a 3-1 decision to East Stroudsburg in the championship match.

The top-seeded Golden Knights will play No. 8 seed Fayetteville State in the quarterfinals. The Broncos knocked off two-time defending CIAA champion Shaw in the finals on Sunday for their eighth CIAA title. Fayetteville State enters with a 21-5 record and qualifies for the Atlantic Regional for the first time since 2021.      

Gannon and Fayetteville State will meet in the third game of the day on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. The winner will move on to play the winner of the 7:00 p.m. game in the semifinals as No. 4 seed Pitt-Johnstown (17-11) square off a against No. 5 Shepherd (19-10).
Thursday's quarterfinals get underway at 11:00 a.m. with Indiana (Pa.), the third seed with a record of 20-8, opposing No. 6 Fairmont State (23-10).  

East Stroudsburg claimed the number two seed after winning the PSAC championship. The Warriors come in at 26-5 and will play No. 7 Charleston (WV) at 1:30 p.m. The Golden Eagles are 23-12 after winning the Mountain East Conference championship.

Friday's semifinals are set for 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. with the Atlantic Regional Championship decided at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.  

The winners of the eight regionals will advance to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight on December 11-13 in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
Additional information on tickets will be released shortly. Here is the Atlantic Regional schedule.
 
ATLANTIC REGIONAL SCHEDULE
All matches at Highmark Events Center
Thursday, December 4, 2025 – Quarterfinals
11:00 a.m. – No. 3 Indiana (Pa.) vs. No. 6 Fairmont State
1:30 p.m. – No. 2 East Stroudsburg vs. No. 7 Charleston (WV)
4:30 p.m. – No. 1 Gannon vs. No. 8 Fayetteville State
7:00 p.m. – No. 4 Pitt-Johnstown vs. No. 5 Shepherd
Friday, December 5, 2025 – Semifinals
4:00 p.m. – Winner of Q1 vs. Winner of Q2
7:00 p.m. – Winner of Q3 vs. Winner of Q4
Saturday, December 6, 2025 – Championship
4:00 p.m. – Winner of S1 vs. Winner of S2
 
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