Mavericks Earn Seventh Appearance in NCAA Tournament

11/15/2009 9:17:02 PM

Indianapolis, Ind.--- For the seventh time in program history, the Minnesota State volleyball team has earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Volleyball Tournament.

The fifth seeded Mavericks begin the 64-team tournament when the travel to St. Paul, Minn., to take on fourth-seeded Wayne State.

The Mavericks are 2-6 all-time in NCAA appearances. Their last appearance in the tournament was in 2007 when they were defeated by fellow NSIC-member Southwest Minnesota State. MSU took the Mustangs to a fifth set, but fell short with a 3-2 loss. The NCAA playoff appearance will mark the third time head coach Dennis Amundson has led the Mavericks to the playoffs.

"I'm really happy for our kids," Amundson said. "These kids have been though a lot and they have persevered through it all and I am really happy to take this team into post-season play."

Minnesota State’s first post-season victory came in 1990 when it earned its first-ever spot in the NCAA tournament - they defeated Ferris State. Its other NCAA win came against North Dakota State in 2002. The Mavericks defeated North Dakota State by a score of 3-0.

The Mavericks finished the regular season with a 26-6 overall record and 16-4 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Concordia-St. Paul earned the top seed and will host the Central Region tournament. Other NSIC members to make the playoffs include #2 Southwest Minnesota State, #4 Wayne State and #6 Minnesota Duluth.

The winner of Minnesota State and Wayne State will move on to the second round of the tournament and face the winner of #1 Concordia St. Paul and #8 Colorado School of Mines.

The date and time for the match will be announced Monday, November 16th.

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