Eastern garners first-ever NCAA berth
Zias will face Mesa State in first round

PORTALES, N.M . — The Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team (24-8) was awarded its first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 14. The Zias will be the fifth seed in the Southwest Region and will face off with fourth-seeded Mesa State College (22-9) in Kearney, Neb. on Friday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. MST.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney (36-0) earned the top seed in the region, and will host the Southwest Regional Tournament, which will run from Nov. 19-Nov. 21. UNK takes on Metropolitan State University (17-14) in its first-round matchup. Abilene Christian University (28-7) will go head-to-head with St. Edward’s University (23-14), while Rockhurst University (26-9) will play Fort Hays State University (29-4) in the other two first-round matchups.

ENMU fell to Abilene in the Lone Star Conference semifinals 3-1 on Friday, Nov. 12, but still garnered an at large bid by virtue of its 19-7 record in the Southwest Region. Sophomore middle blocker Grace George (Kaaawa, HI/Kahuku HS) was named to the LSC All-Tournament Team with 20 kills and 15 blocks in two matches. Eastern defeated the University of Central Oklahoma 3-1 in the first round of the tourney.

The Zias took on Mesa State on Sept. 4 at the Mesa State Tournament, and fell to the Mavericks in four games. Since then, the Zias have gone 23-6. Anna Bellum (Sr., OH, Albuquerque, NM/Garden City CC) had 20 kills in that match, while Nikki Green posted 26 kills for the Mavs.

Friday’s game will be available over the Internet through Eastern’s agreement with TRZ/Teamline. ENMU fans will be able to find a link to the broadcast by going to www.enmu.edu/athletics. Matt Brady, graduate assistant for sports information, will have the play-by-play.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (All times Mountain)

Friday, Nov. 19 at Kearney, Neb.
Game 1: #3 Abilene Christian (28-7) vs. #6 St. Edward's (23-14); 11 a.m.
Game 2: #7 Rockhurst (26-9) vs. #2 Fort Hays State (29-4); 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: #5 Eastern New Mexico (24-8) vs. #4 Mesa State (22-9); 4 p.m.
Game 4: #1 Nebraska-Kearney (36-0) vs. #8 Metropolitan State (17-14); 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20 at Kearney, Neb.
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner; 4 p.m.
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner; 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 21 at Kearney, Neb.
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner; 2 p.m.

Click here for the full tournament bracket (.pdf)