The NAIA has released the pool assignments for the 2009 NAIA Volleyball National Championships. Taylor's four-team pool is made up of California Baptist, Vanguard (Calif.), and Mobile (Ala.). All matches will be played at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.
The round robin pool play gets started for Taylor on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 3:15 p.m. (CST) against #11 seed Vanguard. The Lions are 17-12 on the season, making their second appearance at the national tournament
Taylor (35-5) will then face #2 seed California Baptist on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. (CST). For the last six weeks, the Lancers have been ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Top 25 Poll after compiling a 26-5 record. This will be their 13th appearance at nationals, having won back-to-back national titles in 2004 & 2005.
The final pool play match will come against Mobile on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. (CST). The Rams make their third straight appearance at the NAIA National Championship with a season record of 25-11.
There are six pools with four teams in each pool at the championships. In order to advance to the single elimination bracket beginning on Dec. 4, the Trojans must finish in the top two of their pool.
Taylor is making its fifth appearance at the national championships, and the first since 2001. The Trojans are 10-16 all-time at nationals, including an Elite Eight finish in 1997.
The championship match will take place at 8 p.m. on Dec. 5.
