Volleyball to host Northwestern in regional playoffs

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The No. 4-ranked St. Thomas volleyball team will face the University of Northwestern (Minn.) in front of a home crowd at 8 p.m. Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Division-III regional playoff tournament.

The NCAA announced the tournament bracket Monday, and the reigning national champion Tommies (28-2 overall) will host seven other teams in the single-elimination regional tournament.

St. Thomas is making its ninth consecutive appearance in the NCAA playoffs. If the Tommies win their regional championship, they will advance to the eight-team national tournament starting Nov. 21 in Holland, Mich. for the fourth consecutive season.

Outside hitter McKenna Reagan celebrates during the St. Thomas volleyball team's MIAC championship victory over St. Benedict Saturday. The NCAA announced Monday that St. Thomas will host its region in the playoff tournament starting Thursday. (Morgan Neu/TommieMedia)
Outside hitter McKenna Reagan celebrates during the St. Thomas volleyball team’s MIAC championship victory over St. Benedict Saturday. The NCAA announced Monday that St. Thomas will host its region in the playoff tournament starting Thursday. (Morgan Neu/TommieMedia)

The last time the Tommies faced the Eagles (23-12) on Oct. 30, St. Thomas won 3-0 with individual set scores of 25-23, 25-14 and 25-18. Coach Thanh Pham said the women are excited to play an opponent they’ve seen before.

“We just played them, and they were just getting back to full strength,” Pham said. “We know that they’ll be much better this time around.”

Middle blocker Kelly Foley said the team was excited to hear it will host the regional tournament for the third time in four years.

“It definitely gives us an advantage,” Foley said. “It will be more fun for us since more of our fans will be there.”

Opposite hitter Sara Atkinson said maintaining the same routine as a regular season game will help the Tommies prepare for the playoffs.

“It’s really great to be able to go to class and sleep in our own bed,” Atkinson said.

Looking ahead, Pham said the road to back to another national championship won’t come easy.

“It’s going to be tougher than last year. Having a big target on our back, we understand that every team is going to try to play their best match against us,” Pham said.

The College of St. Benedict and Augsburg College are the only other MIAC teams to receive at-large bids into the NCAA tournament. St. Benedict (26-3) will face Cornell College (28-3). Augsburg (28-4) takes on Pacific Lutheran (19-5) in the first round.

“I think St. Ben’s will do well throughout the tournament,” Foley said. “They are a good team.”

A victory for the Tommies on Thursday would pit them against the winner of Augsburg vs. Pacific Lutheran at 7 p.m. Friday.