Ladyjacks Selected to Play in 2017 NIVC Postseason Tournament
11/20/2017 2:53:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
SFA will be one of 32 teams in first NIVC tournament since 1995
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - In an announcement made Monday following the conclusion of the Southland Conference Tournament, the Stephen F. Austin volleyball team has been selected as one of 32 teams that will comprise the field for the 2017 National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
In December of 2016 at the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) convention, it was announced that the NIVC would return for the 2017 season following a hiatus of 22 years. The tournament field will consist of 32 teams, with matches in rounds one and two held back-to-back on Nov. 28-Dec. 1 at eight of the participating schools. The event will play through the championship game, hosted at one of the two remaining schools and broadcast on ESPN3.
The NIVC was originally played from 1989-1995. With the support of those founders, the current NIVC will feature automatic qualifiers who are the teams with the best conference finishes that were not selected for the NCAA Tournament. The committee will select the remainder of the field based on court performance throughout this season.
"The NIVC opportunity has been bubbling up in conversation with coaches and administrators for years. We had nearly 60 teams send in contracts for this year, and to provide the best experience in 2017 we've decided the 32-team format is preferred," said NIVC director Sean Hardy.
"We will learn a lot running the NIVC this year and are excited to make it part of everyone's volleyball calendar going forward. Some deserving programs are sent home early after conference tournaments are finished, and the NIVC is a great vehicle to showcase them and grow the rest of the sport."
By virtue of winning claiming the title of 2017 Southland Conference regular season champions, the Ladyjacks earned an automatic berth to the NIVC. Teams could qualify for the NIVC in a number of ways including winning a regular season championship
The Ladyjacks' first round opponent and site of the match will be revealed on Sunday, Nov. 26, when the complete 32-team bracket for the NIVC is announced.
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