11/25/2007 - Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – The 24th-ranked Duke volleyball team will host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Volleyball Tournament at Cameron Indoor Stadium this Friday, Nov. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 1.

 

The four-team field features No. 7 Cal (22-7, 12-6 Pac-10) and a pair of conference champions in Patriot League winner American (26-7, 13-1 PL) and Big South victor Liberty (11-1). Duke (24-6, 19-3 ACC) draws the second seed among the group, while Cal picks up the first spot. American earns the third seed with Liberty rounding out the group. The tournament is a single-elimination format with the winner advancing to the round of 16 in Madison, Wis.

 

The tournament will open with a 5 p.m. meeting between Cal and Liberty on Friday, while Duke and American will follow with a 7 p.m. bout. The winners of the opening two matches will square off on Saturday at 5 p.m. with the victor moving on to the round of 16.

 

This year’s selection marks the third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament for the Blue Devils, who have made 13 postseason appearances in the program’s 36-year history. Duke has advanced to the second round of the tournament in each of the past two seasons after defeating site host Tennessee 3-1 in 2006 and American 3-0 in 2005. Including 2007, Duke has served as the host of the first round of the tournament on four occasions, most recently in 2001. The Blue Devils own a 13-1 home record at Cameron Indoor this season and also concluded a streak of 38 straight home wins, a run that began in 2004.

 

Duke is one of two ACC teams to make the 2007 NCAA Tournament, joining conference champion Clemson (28-3, 21-1 ACC), which will also host the opening two rounds in Clemson, S.C.

For more information about the 2007 NCAA Volleyball Tournament, visit www.ncaasports.com.

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