The Missouri Tigers will look to extend their undefeated volleyball season tonight when they host an opening round match in the NCAA Tournament.
Missouri (34-0), the No. 4 national seed, will begin postseason play with a match against IUPUI (19-13) at 6:30 p.m. at the Hearnes Center. The teams have two common opponents on the season - Southeast Missouri and South Dakota. Missouri swept both of its matches against the two, while IUPUI was 1-2 (splitting with South Dakota and losing in five games to Southeast Missouri).
The teams have met once before, that a 3-0 Missouri victory in 2001.
Missouri is making the 11th NCAA Tournament appearance in 14 seasons under the direction of Wayne and Susan Kreklow. The No. 4 seed is the best in program history. The Tigers are 8-10 all-time in the tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight in 2005 and the Sweet 16 in 2010.
This is the first NCAA Tournament appearance for IUPUI, which won the Summit League Tournament championship. The Jags have won 10 of their last 11 matches heading into tonight's action.
The other opening round match today will pit 19th-ranked Purdue (20-11) against Central Arkansas (27-3) at 4:30 p.m.
The championship match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The winner of that match advances to the Champaign, Ill., Regional for play Dec. 13-14. The Final Four will be held Dec. 19 and 21 in Seattle.