The 1996 NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament began with 48 teams and ended on December 21, 1996, when Stanford defeated Hawaii 3 games to 0 in the NCAA championship match.
Stanford's win over Hawaii for the title was, and remains, one of the most lopsided finals in NCAA championship history. Stanford won 15-7, 15-3, 15-5. The 15 points scored by Hawaii was the lowest in an NCAA championship match since the NCAA tournament began in 1981.