Be sure to check out volleyball analyst Mary Wise on the latest ‘06010’ podcast, where she reflects on her historic career, moving from sideline to broadcast booth and what excites her about being in studio for this year’s championship.
ESPN is taking over Kansas City for the NCAA Volleyball National Championship, beginning Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET with the National Semifinals. We caught up with Coordinating Producer Ericka Galbraith to discuss all the resources ESPN is putting into this year’s championship event.
What are you most enthusiastic about with year’s National Semifinals/National Championship matches? For anyone who watched the Texas A&M vs. Nebraska regional on Sunday, you can imagine the high-level of competition we have heading into the National Semis and Championship. We’re thrilled about the atmosphere, the teams and the coverage plan.
Each year, volleyball grows, and we continue to build off that momentum — this year we’re stepping up in every way possible. The ESPN/ABC crew is one of the best teams I’ve worked with. The passion, perfection, positive energy, and relentless effort each person puts in makes the experience even that much greater.
What new technology are you looking forward to having in Kansas City?
We’ll have 14 manned cameras, nine POVs and six super slow mos to help us cover every detail of the match. We also have new and enhanced telestrations, giving the fans an in-depth look at the Xs and Os of the match.
Probably the biggest addition is these broadcasts will also feature Bolt 6, which will showcase enhanced technology with serve speed, spike speed, spike height and other statistical facets of the game.
We’re excited to showcase each teams’ unique stories and spectacular athletes with state-of-the-art technology.
For the first time, there will be a dedicated studio show leading into the National Championship. Tell us what fans can expect from that?
We’ll have interviews with players and coaches, share personal stories from athletes chronicling their journeys to the sport’s biggest stage and legendary coach Mary Wise will give insight and a coaches perspective heading into the game.
We’ve prioritized our set design this year, with the studio set overlooking the court — really placing fans in the action of warmups.
Fans can tune in to ESPN on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to catch the National Semifinals, followed by the National Championship on Sunday. Coverage begins on ABC at 3 p.m. with the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship Preview Show, followed by the Championship at 3:30 p.m.
