What Is 2004 NCAA men's volleyball tournament

Overview

The 2004 NCAA men's volleyball tournament marked the 35th edition of the annual championship, culminating in a dramatic final between two powerhouse programs. Held from April 29 to May 1, 2004, the event brought together the nation's top collegiate men's volleyball teams to compete for the national title.

UCLA emerged victorious in a tightly contested final, defeating Brigham Young University (BYU) 3–2 in sets. The championship match, hosted at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, showcased high-level play and intense rallies, solidifying UCLA's legacy in the sport.

• UCLA won the 2004 title by defeating BYU 3–2 in the final, marking their 18th NCAA championship in men's volleyball.
• The tournament began on April 29, 2004 with the semifinals and concluded with the final on May 1, 2004.
• Six teams participated in the single-elimination format, including UCLA, BYU, Penn State, Ohio State, UC Irvine, and Pepperdine.
• The championship match was held at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, a neutral site chosen to host the final rounds.
• UCLA entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed after winning the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) regular season title.

How It Works

The NCAA men's volleyball tournament follows a structured format to determine the national champion through competitive elimination. Teams qualify based on conference performance and at-large selections, leading to a final bracket.

• Format: The 2004 tournament used a 6-team single-elimination bracket, with two play-in matches leading to semifinals and a final.
• Qualification: Four teams earned automatic bids by winning their conference tournaments, while two received at-large selections from the NCAA committee.
• Seeding: Teams were seeded 1 through 6 based on win-loss records, conference strength, and RPI rankings.
• Match Structure: Each match was a best-of-five sets contest, with a team needing to win three sets to advance.
• Hosting: The final rounds were held at a predetermined neutral site—Honolulu, Hawaii in 2004—to ensure fairness and maximize attendance.
• Player Eligibility: All participants were NCAA-eligible student-athletes enrolled full-time at member institutions.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2004 tournament compared to other recent editions in key structural and competitive aspects:

The 2004 tournament continued the trend of a six-team format introduced in 2001, maintaining consistency in structure. UCLA's win reasserted its dominance after UC Irvine had won the previous two titles. The rotation of host cities reflected the NCAA's effort to broaden the sport’s geographic appeal.

Why It Matters

The 2004 championship had lasting implications for collegiate volleyball, influencing recruiting, program development, and national visibility for the sport. It highlighted the competitive depth beyond traditional powerhouses and reinforced the importance of postseason experience.

• UCLA's 18th title extended its record as the most successful program in NCAA men's volleyball history.
• The close 3–2 final demonstrated the rising parity in men's collegiate volleyball, with BYU pushing the defending elite to the limit.
• Hosting in Hawaii increased national exposure and attendance, setting a precedent for future neutral-site championships.
• Player performances, such as UCLA’s Damien Brown, elevated individual profiles and boosted recruitment interest in the sport.
• The tournament format remained under review, with discussions about expanding beyond six teams gaining momentum after 2004.
• Media coverage improved slightly, with regional broadcasts helping grow the sport’s fan base beyond campus communities.

The 2004 NCAA men's volleyball tournament remains a milestone in the sport’s evolution, symbolizing both tradition and transition as collegiate volleyball continued to grow in competitiveness and visibility.