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Here is who I think has the toughest path to Omaha.
First of all, let’s narrow it down.
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1. Lawrence Regional
If you are looking at all regional hosts, my attention immediately went to Kansas — paired with a red hot Arkansas team that many would have argued could have been a host in their right.
And then, even if you make it through that, you have a supers date with arguably a favorite to win it all in Georgia Tech.
📝 BRACKET BREAKDOWN: Michella Chester runs through the 2026 tournament bracket
2. Lincoln Regional
Then I turned my attention to Nebraska.
The Huskers have one of the toughest regionals of anyone with both Ole Miss and Arizona State. The Rebels, with a lot of power in the lineup, have beaten some of the best teams in the country this year. The Sun Devils, led by Landon Hairston, a player who is in conversation for the Golden Spikes, is definitely a player to know.
And then after the regionals, the super regional is paired with Auburn.
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3. Chapel Hill Regional
I want to look at who has the toughest path out of the top eight national seeds, and to me that choice is clear: North Carolina. The Tar Heels got the No. 5 overall seed and somehow have what feels like the most difficult path.
Tennessee is in their regional. Not a team I would want to face in the tournament with a lot of star power and offense in that lineup. They’ve also got ECU, led by Ethan Norby on the mound. Depending on who these teams throw in the first game of the regionals, you could be facing their aces.
Then you look at what comes after — matched up with Texas AM in the super regionals. Another team full of power bats and big-time experience.
Nebraska has the toughest road to Omaha. Out of the top eight, my clear pick is UNC.
Michella Chester has been the NCAA.com volleyball beat reporter since 2019. She also covers softball and baseball for NCAA Digital. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia where she played lacrosse and earned a degree in Journalism and a Sport Media Certificate. Michella’s work has appeared on GeorgiaDogs.com, FOX Sports South, Atlanta Blaze MLL and SB Nation. Follow her on Twitter @michellachester.
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