HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The 2012 NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Tournament brackets have been set and the Eagles are heading to the South Regional hosted by Christopher Newport University this Friday, Nov. 9 in Newport News, Va. After winning their sixth consecutive Landmark Conference title, Juniata will face-off against Trinity (Tex.) at 12:30 p.m. in the first of four matches during the day.
"We've played Trinity in the past," said Juniata Head Coach Heather Pavlik. "They're always a very good team. We played a lot of people this season, but that is one team we haven't seen."
The South Regional runs from Nov. 9-11 with top ranked programs including host Christopher Newport, who is No. 5 in the AVCA Division III Coaches Poll, and No. 6 Emory, who the Eagles faced back on Oct. 19 during the Wid Guisler Invitational.
Trinity (Tex.) earned an at-large bid to the tournament after falling in their conference championship. The Tigers are traveling the furthest for the regional, coming to Newport News by way of San Antonio, Texas. They will face a road tested Eagle program that has played 60-pct. of its matches this year away from home.
"It's just like any other trip," started Pavlik. "I think we are better equipped to make these kinds of trips because we do travel a good bit. It's not new for our team to travel and its not new for them to be in a hotel. These are all very normal things for us, so I think that's the benefit of having played the schedule we play."
The Eagles are 19-5 in the NCAA tournament since joining the Landmark Conference, with a high finish of second in 2009. They are 10-2 all-time against Trinity (Tex.) and are 2-1 in the NCAA tournament facing the Tigers. Juniata seeks redemption after a disappointing finish last year. The Eagles were upset in the regional final (3-1) by Eastern University (Nov. 13, 2011).
"We have learned how to play more consistently at a higher level," said Pavlik. "That happens simply by playing good people. And some would argue that no one has played a tougher schedule than we have. And I think that was planned in order to get ready for what's going to happen now. Where you have to play good teams night after night after night and there's no taking a break. It has to be consistent and I think we have prepared pretty well for that."
All the matches at the regional will be broadcast online with video and live stats. Eagle fans can check back on juniatasports.net for more information on the regional. Below is a look at the bracket.
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