Nov. 30, 2008

Center Valley, Pa.--American University will serve as a first and second round host for the 2008 NCAA volleyball tournament, as announced Sunday night by the NCAA. The Eagles will host the first two rounds starting Friday and Saturday, becoming the first Patriot League team to host an NCAA volleyball tournament match. American, which has won eight consecutive Patriot League championships, will open its 11th NCAA tournament against Atlantic Coast Conference co-champion North Carolina on Friday.

American (24-8) became the first Patriot League program to win an NCAA tournament game a year ago, forcing Duke into a fifth game before falling 3-2. The Eagles have appeared in eight straight NCAA tournaments. American last met the Tar Heels in the 2007 Carolina Classic, with North Carolina claiming a 3-2 win. The Tar Heels will be making their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2005.

In Friday's other match, 11th-seeded Oregon (23-8) will take on Delaware (19-15). The Ducks will be making their third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and their 16th overall. Oregon finished fourth in the Pac-10 Conference with an 11-7 mark. The Blue Hens have won seven of their past eight matches, including three straight in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, to advance to their second straight NCAA tournament.

Friday's winners will play each other on Saturday for the right to advance to the regional semifinals in Austin, Tex. All three matches will be held at Bender Arena in Washington, D.C. Match times will be announced Monday.