From Washington University Athletics
The No. 5-ranked Washington University in St. Louis volleyball team was one of eight teams selected to host an NCAA Division III Regional, as announced Monday morning by the NCAA selection committee. The Bears will host the St. Louis, Missouri Regional Friday-Sunday, Nov. 14-16, at the WU Field House.
Washington U. finished the regular season with a 33-5 record and will take on Bluffton University in the first round at 8 p.m. Friday. The other three regional quarterfinal matchups Friday feature No. 23 Millikin University against Thomas More College at 12:30 p.m., No. 6 Emory University against Webster University at 3 p.m., and Hendrix College against Maryville College (Tenn.) at 5:30 p.m. Second-round matches are scheduled for 4:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, with the regional championship set for 4 p.m. Sunday.
Washington University has won an NCAA Division III record 10 national championships, including most recently in 2009. The Bears are making their 28th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and are 94-18 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. Washington U. received an at-large bid to the 2014 NCAA Tournament after finishing third at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship Saturday.
The Bears' quarterfinal opponent, Bluffton, enters the tournament with a 23-11 overall record. The Beavers are making their sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament after winning the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) crown for the second year in a row. Bluffton is 0-5 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, and lost to Wittenberg University in the first round in 2013. Washington U. and Bluffton have played once previously, a win for the Bears in 1998.
Emory earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the UAA Championship with a 3-1 victory over the University of Chicago Saturday. The Eagles enter the postseason with a 34-3 overall record. Emory is making its 20th NCAA Tournament appearance, including the 19th in a row, and has an all-time record of 35-19 in the tournament. The Eagles have advanced to the national semifinal four times, including winning the 2010 national championship, and a semifinal appearance last season. Washington University is 48-9 all-time against Emory, including a five-set win over the Eagles Oct. 18.
Webster won the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) tournament championship for the fourth straight year with a sweep of Spalding University Saturday. The Gorloks, who are 22-12 overall, are making their eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Webster is 0-7 in its previous seven trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 3-0 loss to Hope College in the first round last year. Washington University leads the all-time series against Webster 23-0 after posting a three-set win over the Gorloks Oct. 1.
Millikin received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after finishing as the runner-up in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW). The Big Blue has a 30-9 overall record this season and are making their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2005. Millikin is 2-5 in its previous four trips to the NCAA Tournament. Washington University leads the all-time series against Millikin 9-3, including a sweep for the Bears in the regular-season finale Nov. 1.
Thomas More won the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) championship for the third year in a row to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Saints enter the tournament with a 29-4 overall record. Thomas More is making its 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and has a 5-12 record in its previous 12 trips. Washington University leads the all-time series against Thomas More 12-0, and the teams last met in 2001.
Hendrix earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) championship for the first time in school history. The Warriors are 30-5 overall this season and are making their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Washington U. and Hendrix played for the first time in school history Nov. 1, a 3-0 win for the Bears.
Maryville won the USA South Athletic Conference title last weekend to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Scots enter the NCAA Tournament with a 26-8 overall record and are making their 12th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Maryville has a 1-11 record in its previous 11 tournament appearances. Washington U. and Maryville have never played.