The No. 1-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (33-3) were upset in the NCAA Semifinals by the No. 5-Ranked Oregon Ducks (30-4), with a 3-1 loss (25-21, 28-30, 22-25, 19-25) that ended their hopes for a 6th NCAA Title.

Penn State led early in the 1st set, but Oregon tied the score at 10-10. Nine more ties followed until the Nittany Lions finally closed out the set at 25-21.

In the 2nd set,1st-Team All American Micha Hancock injured her ankle with Penn State trailing 9-4 and had to leave the match. With Kristin Carpenter subbed in at setter, Oregon scored 2 straight points, giving Oregon an 11-4 lead.  Carpenter followed with a solo block, making the score 11-5, but the Ducks pushed back to build a 16-9 lead.  Hancock then subbed back-in, though she clearly was hampered. Oregon promptly went on a 4-1 run for a 20-10 lead. The Nittany Lions, led by Deja McClendon, fought back with an 8-1 run of their own, finally narrowing the gap to 3 points at 21-18. before Penn State finally tied the set at 28-all. Oregon then took the final two points to win the set.

The third set was tied as late as 19-19, but Oregon took 6 of the final 9 points to win the set 25-22.

The fourth set went to the Ducks, 25-19.

Ariel Scott led both teams with 18 kills, while Deja McClendon chipped in with 14 kills and 12 digs. Micha Hancock totaled 45 assists and and 12 digs, with Dominique Gonzalez leading all players with 22 digs. Megan Courtney  and Katie Slay both posted 8 blocks, with Scott and Nia Grant each totaling 5.