Nov. 30, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara volleyball team will make its 11th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance on Friday, Dec. 5 as the Broncos face the Wildcats of Kansas State in the first round in Seattle, Wash., it was announced Sunday. SCU and K-State will battle at 2 p.m. PT at the Bank of America Arena in Seattle.
The winner will face the winner of the Washington/Portland State match on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.
Santa Clara finished the 2008 regular-season with a 17-9 overall record and tied for fourth in the West Coast Conference with an 8-6 mark. The Broncos are one of five programs selected from the WCC as league champion San Diego, USF, Saint Mary's and Pepperdine will also compete for the National title. The Broncos are led by All-WCC honorees Anna Cmaylo, Brittany Lowe and Lindsy Davigeadono.
Kansas State enters the postseason with a 24-7 overall record and a third place finish in the Big 12 Conference. The Broncos and Wildcats have met once before with Santa Clara earning the 3-0 win at the Fresno State Invitational in 2006.
Washington, ranked fifth in the Bison/AVCA Coaches poll and earning the fifth seed, has a 24-4 overall record entering the tournament. Portland State, who received the automatic bid after winning the Big Sky Championship, enters the weekend with a 20-8 overall record.
