LA MIRADA, Calif. --- As expected, the Biola volleyball team has received a first-round bye and will advance to the 2009 NAIA Volleyball Championship Tournament, Dec. 1-5 in Sioux City, Iowa.

The Eagles are one of 11 teams to receive the first-round bye as one of the top ranked teams in the tournament field. The remaining 24 teams will play opening round matches on Saturday, Nov. 21. The winners of the National Championship Opening Round matches, in addition to host school Morningside (Iowa), will advance to the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa, location of the NAIA National Championship.

Biola wrapped up what was supposed to be a rebuilding year with an impressive 22-9 record, ranked No. 10 in the final NAIA National Poll. The Eagles will be making their third-straight trip to the NAIA National Tournament and ninth trip overall. Biola is 34-16 all-time at the NAIA Tournament and has reached at least the quarterfinals in each of its previous eight trips.

The final 24 teams will be placed into six pools and will play a round robin pool play Dec. 2-4, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the single elimination bracket starting Dec. 4. The championship match will take place at 8 p.m. (CST) on Dec. 5.

Final site pool assignments and schedule will be announced by on Nov. 22 by 6 p.m. (CST).

For more information on the 2009 NAIA Volleyball National Championship, visit the official NAIA site at http://naia.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/09-championship.html.