There was nary an inkling by the University of South Carolina volleyball as to where they would play the program’s first NCAA tournament match in 16 years.

Junior middle blocker Claire Edwards of River Bluff High School expressed a preference prior to the selection show party this past Sunday at the Champions Room in Williams-Brice Stadium.

“Hopefully, somewhere cold so we can get a new jacket,” she said.

The NCAA granted her wish. After nearly 15 minutes, the Gamecocks learned they would pack up and prepare for the cold of the Twin Cities for their first-round contest against Colorado.

The Gamecocks came away this past Friday with a hard-fought 5-set victory over the Buffaloes for their 20th win of the season.

South Carolina and Colorado split the first four sets before the Gamecocks took the final set.

The final scores were 34-32, 19-25, 25-12, 13-25, 15-13. Edwards had 10 kills and 5 blocks in the victory.

South Carolina was not as successful the following day against host team and 2nd overall seed Minnesota. The Gophers defeated the Gamecocks in 3 sets (12-25, 15-25, 15-25) to advance to the Sweet 16.

“The goal was always to get to the NCAA tournament and progress as far as we could,” Edwards said. “I think the new coaching staff really helped a lot. They pushed us in ways that we’ve never been pushed before and I think it gave kind of an even better mindset to complete our goal.”