"Palace Sports & Entertainment is constantly trying to create positive attention to our community, showing that the country is a desirable place to live, work and play," said Ron Campbell, President of the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa Bay Lightning. "We make it a priority to put our best foot forward in competing in these events and then back up to treat our customers a first class experience."

"This is great news!" Said Paul Cato, President / CEO of the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau. "To be selected as the host city is a great honor and we are very excited to add this prestigious event to our already impressive training. We expect a great tournament, attracting thousands of fans and generate significant media exposure and economic consequences to society ".

In 2005, the volleyball championship was held in San Antonio, TX with the University of Nebraska, Santa Clara University, the University of Tennessee and the eventual National Champions, University of Washington.

"We could not be more excited to host Volleyball 2009 NCAA Division I Women's World Championship," said Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. "We hope to welcome all student athletes, coaches and fans to the event's first trip ever to the Sunshine State in December 2009."