A look at today's volleyball semifinals

Washington

Pac-10 champions (17-1)

Tournament seeding: No. 3

Final regular-season ranking: No. 3

Snapshot: In 2000, Washington finished 8-19, its third straight season without double-digit wins. Enter new coach Jim McLaughlin, owner of a men's NCAA title (1990, USC). UW's transformation has been impressive.

Strengths: UW is deep with experienced, committed, athletic players, including four 2003 or 2004 All-Americans.

Weaknesses: Blocking at times has been cited as a minor flaw, and McLaughlin constantly preaches that his players must remain "emotionally connected" (i.e., focused) at all times.

Outlook: Despite Nebraska's intimidating presence looming on the horizon, Washington has never had a better chance of winning a national crown.

Tennessee

Southeastern Conference, second place (13-3)

Tournament seeding: No. 15

Final regular-season ranking: No. 23

Snapshot: Similar to Washington's position two or three years ago, Tennessee is an improving program that has been looking for a breakout performance and to earn national respect.

Strengths: Tennessee has similar size to Washington. Junior middle blocker Sarah Blum (6-3) was named most outstanding player of the Penn State regional. Sophomore outside hitter Yuliya Stoyanova (from Bulgaria) leads the team with an average of 4.01 kills per game.

Weaknesses: Tennessee runs hot and cold. The Vols have noteworthy victories mingled in with a few pratfalls.

Outlook: The Vols seem to be a little out of their league against an experienced foe such as UW.

Nebraska

Big 12 champion (19-1)

Tournament seeding: No. 1

Final regular-season ranking: No. 1

Snapshot: An imposing, physical team, Nebraska is an established power, winning national titles in 1995 and 2000. Strengths: Seemingly always on the attack, Nebraska plays without a libero and often employs two setters at once to feed pile-driving outside hitters Sarah Pavan, a 6-5 sophomore from Canada (3.78 kills per game), and 6-2 junior Christina Houghtelling (3.71).

Weaknesses: Flaws are hard to spot on this squad.

Outlook: If Nebraska and UW meet for the title, one longtime college volleyball observer says the day off between the semifinals and the championship match is a plus for Washington, giving McLaughlin, an inventive strategist, sufficient time to hatch a winning game plan.

Santa Clara

West Coast Conference champion (12-2)

Tournament seeding: None

Final regular-season ranking: No. 11

Snapshot: This tournament's Cinderella slipper goes to the unseeded Broncos, who upended three top-20 teams to advance to their first Final Four.

Strengths: "I've got to say, I can't believe it," Santa Clara coach Jon Wallace said after his team eliminated Arizona 3-2 in last Saturday's regional final. Outside hitter Kim McGiven leads the team with 4.15 kills per game.

Weaknesses: Santa Clara might have caught good opponents on bad days. The Broncos beat Arizona despite trailing in almost every stat.

Outlook: Santa Clara must face Nebraska, college volleyball's version of the Indianapolis Colts — a tough task even for the fairy godmother who has been liberally sprinkling stardust on this Northern California team.