Volleyball Southern Conference

Georgia Southern Draws Florida In NCAA Volleyball

STATESBORO, Ga. The wait is finally over for the Georgia Southern Volleyball team. After winning the Southern Conference Championship a week ago and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Volleyball Championship, the Eagles learned Sunday night that they will face the Florida Gators in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

The Eagles (27-9), who gathered as a team at Retriever's, a local restaurant, to watch the Selection Show, watched with anticipation. Georgia Southern will travel to Gainesville, Florida for a December 4 match-up against Florida (31-1). Match time against Florida is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Should the Eagles advance, they would face the winner of the Cincinnati vs. UCF winner on December 5.

Thursday's match-up will be the first ever meeting between Georgia Southern and Florida. The only other SEC teams the Eagles have faced are Auburn, Georgia, and South Carolina, where the Eagles hold an 0-9 record.

The Eagles earned the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament by winning the Southern Conference Championship this past weekend. The Eagles posted 3-2 victories over Western Carolina, Appalachian State and College of Charleston for the crown. This was the first time in SoCon history that a team won the Championship by winning all 15 games. It was the Eagles second league title in three years. Senior Martina Veiglova was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after scoring match point in the tournament finals The 2003 Eagles were also the SoCon South Division co-regular season champions, recording a 17-1 mark in the league. The postseason berth marks Georgia Southern's second-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles are 0-1 in the tournament, with their only other appearance coming as a 3-0 loss to Pepperdine in the 2001 tournament.

Tickets will be on sale this week at the Florida University Athletic Association Ticket Office. Until Thursday, tickets must be purchased in a package, which includes all three matches. Prices are $10 for general admission, $6 for students and senior citizens, and $4 for children 12 and under. Single-session tickets can be purchased starting Thursday for $7 for general admission, $5 for students and senior citizens, and $3 for children 12 and under. For more information, contact the UAA Ticket office at (352) 375-4683, ext. 6800 or 1-800-34GATOR (in Florida only).
The complete bracket can be found at www.ncaasports.com/volleyball/womens.