The final four
Penn State Nittany Lions
Record: 36-0
Ranking: No. 1
Seed: No. 1
NCAA Tournament history: 62-25. Won championships in 1997, 2007, 2008.
Coach: Russ Rose (999-159, 31st season).
Key player: Megan Hodge, Sr., OH (Big Ten player of the year; Gainesville Regional outstanding player).
Note: The two-time defending NCAA champs have won 100 consecutive matches
Texas Longhorns
Record: 28-1
Ranking: No. 2
Seed: No. 2
NCAA Tournament history: 57-22. Won championship in 1988.
Coach: Jerritt Elliott (213-63, ninth season; 263-75 overall).
Key player: Destinee Hooker, Sr., OH (Big 12 player of the year; Omaha Regional outstanding player).
Note: Of the Longhorns' 28 wins, 13 have been against ranked opponents.
Hawaii Rainbow Wahine
Record: 32-2
Ranking: No. 3
Seed: No. 12
NCAA Tournament history: 69-24. Won championships in 1982, 1983, 1987.
Coach: Dave Shoji (1,016-175-1, 35th season).
Key player: Kanani Danielson, So., OH (Stanford Regional outstanding player).
Note: Hawaii has won 28 straight matches, dropping just six sets.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Record: 28-8
Ranking: No. 11
Seed: No. 11
NCAA Tournament history: 30-14. Reached the national final in 2004.
Coach: Mike Hebert (356-126, 14th season; 928-383 overall).
Key player: Tabitha Love, Fr. OH (Minneapolis Regional outstanding).
Note: This is Minnesota's third trip to the national semifinals in seven years.
Brian Landman, Times staff writer
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