University of San Diego became the first team in the nation to clinch a berth in the NCAA Division I women’s volleyball tournament Thursday night, and the Toreros can clinch the West Coast Conference title outright as soon as Saturday.

The Toreros women will be seeking a 16th straight win Saturday afternoon at Santa Clara after defeating Pepperdine 3-0 at Jenny Craig Pavilion Thursday night to clinch at least a tie for the WCC title and, through the tiebreaker, the conference’s automatic NCAA berth.

“We’re undefeated in conference play, and that’s something that is really special,” coach Jennifer Petrie said after her Toreros swept Pepperdine 25-19, 25-18, 25-23 to run their WCC record to 15-0 and their overall record to 22-4.

“This has been a tremendous run. It’s a dream to win it at h

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