The UC San Diego women’s volleyball team earned an at-large berth in the upcoming 64-team NCAA Division II Championships.
The fifth-seeded Tritons will take on No. 4 Alaska Anchorage in the West Region quarterfinal at Cal State San Bernardino. The tournament begins Dec. 5.
“We’re ecstatic to have another chance to play and extend our season,” said head coach Ricci Luyties.
UC San Diego, receiving votes in the latest AVCA national poll, went 18-8 on the year, but lost in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament Thursday against Sonoma State.
Alaska Anchorage is 22-6. The Tritons and Seawolves met earlier this season with UC San Diego taking a 3-1 win in Anchorage.
“We know Alaska is a really good team and it will be a difficult match, but our players are anxious to get out on the court again,” said Luyties.
UC San Diego will make its 15th appearance in the postseason since becoming a Division II program in 2000.
The Tritons have logged a 15-14 record in D-II postseason play. Their best finish came in 2001 when they advanced to the national semifinals.
UC San Diego won national titles in 1981, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, and 1997.
Top-seeded Cal State San Bernardino, undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation, picked up one of three automatic West Region berths.
They won the CCAA Tournament. Second-seeded Western Washington (Great Northwest Athletic Conference) and sixth-seeded Azusa Pacific (PacWest) punched their tickets by claiming conference regular season titles.
– Staff reports