SPOKANE, Wash. -- Whitworth College has been selected as one of eight regional hosts for the opening rounds of the 2005 NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament.
"We are excited about the opportunity to host another NCAA Volleyball Regional because it allows our team to continue to play in front of our home crowd and it reflects the strength of our volleyball program, which has been on a terrific run since Steve Rupe arrived as head coach in 1999," said Whitworth Director of Athletics, Dr. Scott McQuilkin. This is the second time Whitworth has been selected to host a volleyball regional by the NCAA. The first time occurred in 2002. Since becoming full NCAA members during the 1999-2000 academic year, Whitworth has hosted five NCAA Championship events. In addition to the volleyball regional in 2002, Whitworth has hosted an NCAA football playoff (2001), NCAA early round men's soccer matches (2001, 2004) and the 2000 NCAA Cross Country championships. The Pirate volleyball team is currently 16-3 overall and 11-1 and alone in first place in the Northwest Conference. Whitworth is ranked 19th in the latest CSTV/AVCA Division III Coaches Poll. The tournament participants will be announced on November 6th. The tournament field will consist of 62 teams with seven eight-team regionals and one six-team regional. The winners of the eight regionals will meet in the national quarterfinals on November 19th. |
Whitworth will host the regional Thursday, November 10th through Saturday, November 12th. The starting time for Thursday's matches will be determined by the size of the regional. Friday's matches will begin at 4:30 and 7:00 p.m. Saturday's regional final will begin at 7:00 p.m.