Crusaders Draw Mt. Vernon Nazarene in Opener
MU heads to pool C, begins play November 28th

November 20, 2007

		Jerry Abraham squares off with Paul Swanson in a battle of the two winningest NAIA coaches to open the 2007 National Tournament.

LIVONIA, Mich. -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) released the pool assignments and schedule for the 28^th Annual NAIA Volleyball National Championship today (Nov. 20) with Madonna drawing an assignment to pool C.  The Crusaders will face Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) in the opening match of pool play, Wednesday, November 28th in the main arena at Columbia College.

The match-up with MVNU pits the two winningest NAIA volleyball coaches against each other on the national stage.  MU's hall-of-fame coach Jerry Abraham brings his 842-219 career record against MVNU's Paul Swanson's 849 career victories.

The Lady Cougars are the No. 8 seed overall with a 39-2 record coming into the tournament.  Swanson's squad saw their season high 23-match win streak come to a close November 1st with a loss to Walsh, but have since won four straight postseason matches.

The Crusaders ride a hot streak of their own into the opening match, winners of six straight
matches.  With a 33-10 overall mark, MU will be the underdog in the opening match for the first time in six years.

The tournament is hosted by Columbia College (Mo.) at the Southwell Complex and runs November 28-December 1, 2007.

All 20 qualified teams are placed into five pools and will play a round robin pool play on Wednesday, Nov. 28 and Thursday, Nov. 29.  The top two teams from each pool will advance to the ten-team, single elimination bracket.  First round and quarterfinal matches will be played on Friday, Nov. 30 while the semifinal and championship matches are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1.

The defending national champion National American (S.D.) captured the Region III title and will enter the tournament as the No. 5 seed this season.  The 2006 runner-up, Fresno Pacific (Calif.) will be the favorite as the No. 1 seed.  The Sunbirds have occupied the top spot in every Top 25 poll and lost just one match this season.

After facing Mount Vernon Nazarene at 11:15 (CT) Wednesday, MU will return to the court for a match-up with No. 3 seed Concordia (Calif.) at 3:45 pm (CT).  Concordia brings a 26-5 record to the tournament at the No. 3 overall ranking in the final top-25 poll.  The Eagles finished third at last seasons national tournament.

Pool play concludes for MU with a 3:45 pm (CT) match Thursday (Nov. 29) versus Olivet Nazarene.
 

Contact:
Matt Fancett – Assistant AD – Media Relations
(734) 432-5610