November 17, 2002
Truman Volleyball Earns NCAA Tournament Bid
The Truman State University volleyball team, the 2001 South Central Regional Champions, will get a chance to defend that title. It was announced on Sunday evening that Truman will be one of six teams from the region to compete in the NCAA Division II volleyball tournament.
Washburn is the number one seed and will host the regional in Topeka, Kan. on Nov. 21-23. Truman earned the number two seed and will receive a first-round bye. On Friday, Nov. 22, the Bulldogs will take on the winner of Thursday's North Alabama vs. Albany State match at 4 p.m.. The other first-round match is between Central Missouri and Harding with the winner going on to meet Washburn.
The postseason appearance will be the third straight for the Bulldogs and the fourth in school history. Last season, Truman hosted the South Central Regional and won its only regional championship. After receiving a first-round bye, Truman defeated Henderson State and North Alabama to win the title. In 2000, the Bulldogs advanced to the regional finals with wins over Missouri Western and Central Missouri before falling to North Alabama. Their other appearance in the postseason came in 1994 when Truman fell to Central Missouri in the first round.
Truman goes into this year's tournament with a 24-8 overall record and the Bulldogs finished tied for second in the MIAA with a 13-3 mark. The Bulldogs are 4-1 on the year against the other schools in the regional. Truman split the season series against Washburn, winning on the Lady Blues home court, went 2-0 against Central Missouri and defeated North Alabama in the only meeting between the two.
NCAA Volleyball South Central Regional Tournament
Nov. 21-23 (Topeka, Kan.)
First Round (Nov. 21)
#9 North Alabama (29-4) vs. Albany State (20-12)- 4 p.m.
#17 Central Missouri (24-8) vs. Harding (29-6)- 6:30 p.m.
Regional Semifinals (Nov. 22)
#20 Truman (24-8) vs. North Alabama/Albany State Winner- 4 p.m.
#21 Washburn (29-4) vs. Central Missouri/Harding Winner- 6:30 p.m.
Regional Finals (Nov. 23)
Semifinal Winners- 2 p.m.