Nov. 28, 2010

Center Valley, Pa. - 2010 Patriot League Champion American drew UCLA in the first round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament, it was announced Sunday afternoon. The Eagles will take on the Bruins Friday in Austin, Texas at 5:30 p.m., with the winner facing either host Texas or Texas-San Antonio in the second round. The 64-team field was unveiled on ESPNews. The host Longhorns are the bracket's No. 9 seed.

American is making its ninth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last 10 years, all as Patriot League champion, and 11th overall in program history. The Eagles are riding a League- and program-record 23-match winning streak. Currently 29-2, American is one shy of the Patriot League record of 30 wins in a season, set by Army during the League's inaugural season in 1990.

UCLA was ranked No. 9 in the most recent Bison/AVCA Coaches Top 25. The 21-8 Bruins are in their 14th consecutive NCAA Tournament and earned one of the 33 at-large berths after finishing with an 11-7 mark in the Pac-10, good for fourth place.

Friday will mark just the second time the Patriot League champion will battle a team from the Pac-10 in the NCAA Tournament. 1997 was the only other occurrence, when Lehigh lost 3-0 to Washington State.