A quick read on the Madison regional of the NCAA women's volleyball tournament:

VITALS

When, where: Friday and Saturday, UW Field House.

Tickets: Available at the UW ticket office at Camp Randall Stadium until 4 p.m. Friday, and at the Field House after 4. Two-day, three-match general admission ticket packages are $12 for adults and $8 for youth and senior citizens. Single-match general admission tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youth and senior citizens.

Friday's semifinals: California vs. Iowa State, 5 p.m.; Michigan State vs. Nebraska, 7 p.m.

Saturday's final: Friday's winners, 8 p.m.; televised live on ESPNU.

At stake: A berth in next week's Final Four in Sacramento, Calif.

THE TEAMS

California

Record, ranking: 24-7, No. 6.

Coach: Rich Feller, 163-107 in his ninth season at Cal, 462-274 in 23 seasons overall.

How the Golden Bears got here: Beat Liberty 30-20, 26-30, 30-15, 30-21 in the first round in Durham, N.C.; beat No. 22 Duke 29-31, 30-28, 30-23, 30-17 in the second round.

Ones to watch: Outside hitter Angie Pressey, 5-8, sr., 4.08 kills per game; OH Hana Cutura, 6-3, so., 4.12 kpg; middle blocker Ellen Orchard, 6-3, sr., 2.56 kpg; setter Carli Lloyd, 5-11, fr., 12.71 assists per game.

Local link: Assistant coach Chris Bigelow was an assistant for John Cook at UW when the Nebraska coach was the Badgers' coach.

Can you dig it? Pressey is the daughter of former NBA player Paul Pressey, whose career included a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks. ... Cal has made six consecutive NCAA appearances. ... The Golden Bears are within a victory of tying the school record for wins in a season (25 in 2003).

Iowa State

Record, ranking: 19-13, No. 18.

Coach: Christy Johnson, 56-39 in her third season at Iowa State.

How the Cyclones got here: Beat No. 16 San Diego 25-30, 31-29, 30-19, 24-30, 16-14 in the first round in Madison; beat No. 8 UW 30-28, 30-25, 30-24 in the second round.

Ones to watch: MB Erin Boeve, 6-2, sr., 3.55 kpg; right-side hitter Lauren Cummings, 6-0, sr., 3.39 kpg; OH Victoria Henson, 5-11, r-fr. 2.84 kpg; S Kaylee Manns, 5-10, so., 12.44 apg.

Local link: Johnson was an assistant coach at UW from 1997 to 2004.

Can you dig it? The Cyclones, nationally ranked this week for the first time, are making their first trip to the round of 16 in program history. ... Iowa State has won a school record three straight matches over ranked opponents.

Michigan State

Record, ranking: 21-13, No. 24.

Coach: Cathy George, 52-43 in her third season at Michigan State; 417-267 in 21 seasons overall.

How the Spartans got here: Beat Kentucky 30-28, 30-23, 30-27 in the first round in Dayton, Ohio; beat No. 15 Dayton 30-26, 30-16, 30-21 in the second round.

Ones to watch: OH Ashley Schatzle, 6-1, sr., 4.58 kpg; OH Katie Johnson, 6-3, sr., 4.51 kpg; OH-MB Jenilee Rathje, 5-11, fr., 2.46 kpg; S Lauren O'Reilly, 5-10, fr., 13.29 apg.

Local link: Assistant coach Russ Carney was an assistant at UW, then became the Badgers' coach, compiling a 38-80 record in four seasons (1982 to '85).

Can you dig it? The Spartans are advancing to the round of 16 for the fourth time and the first time since 2002. … They lost in postseason to Nebraska 3-0 in the second round in 1997 and 3-2 in a national semifinal in 1995.

Nebraska

Record, ranking: 29-1, No. 2.

Coach: John Cook, 249-15 in his eighth season at Nebraska; 410-88 in 15 seasons overall.

How the Cornhuskers got here: Beat South Dakota State 30-13, 30-14, 30-13 in the first round in Lincoln, Neb.; beat Wichita State 30-22, 30-19, 30-19 in the second round.

Ones to watch: Opposite hitter Sarah Pavan, 6-5, sr., 4.88 kpg; OH Christina Houghtelling, 6-2, sr., 3.15 kpg; MB Tracy Stalls, 6-4, sr., .471 hitting percentage; OH Jordan Larson, 6-2, jr., 3.44 kpg; S Rachel Holloway, 5-10, so., 13.66 apg.

Local links: Cook was 161-73 in seven seasons as UW's coach (1992 to '98). Assistant Lizzy (Fitzgerald) Stemke was a two-time All-American setter at UW (1998 to 2001) and is married to former UW punter Kevin Stemke.

Can you dig it? Nebraska is the defending national champion. ... The Cornhuskers have advanced to their 14th consecutive regional, the longest active streak in Division I volleyball. ... They are 28-12 in NCAA regional play, making the national semifinals 10 times.