FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11-12-00

AASU Pirate Volleyball Earns First NCAA Tournament Bid

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The No. 24-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State volleyball squad received its first-ever bid to the NCAA Division II National Championship on Sunday evening.

AASU (28-9) will be the No. 3 seed in the upcoming NCAA Division II South Regional in Tampa, Fla. The three-day regional will begin on Thursday, Nov. 19 with AASU taking on USC Spartanburg, the No. 6 seed, in the first round.

The bid represents the first time in the 15-year history of AASU volleyball that the Pirates will take part in postseason play.

The Pirates have been led this year by sophomore Sarah Haynes, the 2000 Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year, as well as All-Conference honorees Micah Roman and Lindsay Ehlers. Among the firsts accomplished by AASU this season include a first-ever national ranking, the Pirates' first-ever wins over nationally-ranked teams and AASU's first-ever region bid.

NCAA Division II South Regional Schedule (Tampa, Fla.)

Thursday, November 16
(3) Armstrong Atlantic State vs. (6) USC Spartanburg, 5:30 p.m.
(4) Barry vs. (5) Florida Southern, 8:00 p.m.

Friday, November 17
AASU/USCS winner vs. (2) North Florida, 5:30 p.m.
BU/FSC winner vs. (1) Tampa, 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 18
South Region Final, 6:00 p.m.