The Bruins volleyball team earned the #1 seed for the NCCAA DII National Tournament this week in Kissimmee, Florida. The Bruins enter the tournament having won three-straight national titles as the team looks to battle through a tough tournament field.
"Nothing is going to be easy for us at this tournament," Bruins Head Volleyball Coach Vickie Denny said. "We know we need to step up and bring our best this week if we plan to compete for the national title."
The Bruins have battled through a difficult schedule this season as the team has notched several wins over good programs to finish the regular season at 26-5. Throughout the season, the Bruins were ranked #1 in NCCAA DII and kept that ranking all season long as the team headed into the South Regional tournament with a perfect 8-0 region record on the year.
At regionals, the Bruins defeated #4 Toccoa Falls College 3-1 to advance to their sixth straight region championship. Unfortunately, the team was upset by #2 seeded Pensacola Christian College 3-1. This was the first time the Bruins hadn't won the South region since the program's inception in 2016.
Still, the national championship committee awarded an at-large bid to the Bruins to compete at the national tournament and awarded the team the #1 seed. The Bruins will be in pool A for the tournament where they will face #4 Johnson University (TN), #5 Faith Baptist Bible College and #8 Maranatha Baptist University in pool play.
The Bruins begin the tournament on Thursday morning as they face #8 Maranatha Baptist. The two programs are very familiar with one another as they have met in each of the last five national tournaments including twice in the national championship match. The Bruins own a 3-2 record against the Sabercats as the Bruins defeated Maranatha 3-1 in the semifinal last year. The Sabercats enter the tournament at 13-15 having won the NCCAA North Region Championship.
In their second match on Thursday, the Bruins will face #5 Faith Baptist Bible College for the first time in program history. The Eagles enter the tournament at 17-9 on the season but the team was upset in the North Region Championship as they fell to Maranatha 3-1.
For the last match of pool play, the Bruins will face #4 Johnson University (TN). The Bruins and Royals have met twice this season with each program capturing a win. On September 4, the Bruins were powered by 14 kills from Victoria Glaze as the team went on to defeat the Royals 3-1. Johnson (TN) came right back with a 3-1 win on September 18 in a strong showing at a tri-match in Columbia, South Carolina. In their history, the Bruins own a 5-3 record against the Royals.
The Bruins will have to be at their best as they take on the best of Division II this week in Kissimmee, Florida. Follow the
NCCAA DII National Tournament page for women's volleyball as the Bruins look to win their fourth-straight national title.
