Just as they had done all season, Penn State swept past Western Michigan, who was making their first Sweet 16 appearance in 21 years.

)[3] In the other Sweet 16 match, California swept Illinois, setting up a rematch of the 2007 NCAA National Semifinals with Penn State.

[4] Washington and Nebraska both swept past their Sweet 16 opponents with ease, to set up a rematch of the 2005 NCAA National Championship.

However, Texas responded in the fourth set, defeating the Cyclones easily to advance to the program's first final four since 1995.

Stanford advanced to their third Final Four in a row, bringing the school total to an NCAA record 18 appearances.

In a rematch of the 2008 AVCA Showcase, Stanford once again beat Texas in five sets to advance to their 14th NCAA title match in school history.

It was the first time in the history of the NCAA tournament that a team came back to win after being down two sets to none in the National Semifinals.

The Nittany Lions NCAA record of consecutive sets won stood at 111 before it being snapped by Nebraska.

[7] However, AVCA National Player of the Year Nicole Fawcett served six straight points, which included a service ace, to swing the momentum to the Nittany Lions at 14–10.

For the first time in NCAA tournament history, the same two teams met for the national title in consecutive years.

[8] Penn State and Stanford met for the fourth time in the NCAA championship - all of which have occurred since 1997 - which is the most meetings between any two schools.

Both teams remained even in set 2, with a Hodge kill giving Penn State the narrow 15-14 lead heading into the media timeout.

Two consecutive kills from Megan Hodge put Penn State just two points away from their second straight national title at 23-18.