2007 NCCAA Volleyball Tournament Day 1 Review
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Nov. 29, 2007) – Day 1 of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Volleyball Tournament proved to be just as exciting as everyone in attendance expected including a few twists and turns that can always be expected in the postseason.

One theme that remained clear throughout the day was the tournament’s best overall team in top seed Indiana Wesleyan. The Wildcats had no troubles with #4 Southwestern Assemblies of God and #5 Bryan College, as they defeated both opponents in three games. IWU’s Jill McMillan and Elisabeth Beam were proof of the Wildcat’s power, as both hit a personal mark of over .400 for a team that averaged almost .300. With only one match versus Northwestern on Friday, Indiana Wesleyan has their eyes on the tournament’s semifinal round.

The rest of Pool A’s field isn’t nearly as clear, as the other three teams have shown potential to continue on past Friday. After their initial loss to Indiana Wesleyan, Southwestern Assemblies of God turned things around in the night cap, taking down Northwestern in three games. Earlier in the afternoon, the Eagles showcased their own potential as they upset Bryan in a 3-0 match.

Bryan’s fate lies in their own hands as they face off against Southwest Assemblies of God on Friday. If Bryan wins the 2:30 match, they could potentially meet Northwestern and Southwestern Assemblies in a three-way playoff to decide who plays on Saturday.

All four teams in Pool B were blessed with one-match days on Thursday, but face the brunt of pool play on Friday. Both matches between #2 Bethel and #3 The Master’s and #6 Cedarville versus #7 Palm Beach Atlantic went to the limit, as match winners Bethel and Palm Beach Atlantic weren’t decided until the final points in each fifth game.

Things in Pool B have a chance to get wild on Friday, as three of the group’s four teams have won NCCAA championships in the past. The only team that hasn’t won an NCCAA title – The Master’s – is just as hungry as its pool play competitors, and will do everything in its power to move on to the semifinal round.

Regardless of who plays who on Friday, the competition promises to be just as thrilling – if not more – as the tournament’s first day was. The stakes are raised as only two teams from each pool will advance to Saturday for the opportunity to be named the NCCAA National Champion.