LA MIRADA, Calif. --- The NAIA Region II Playoff bracket has been released and as expected Biola has wrapped up the fourth seed and will host a familiar foe in arch-rival Azusa Pacific in a first-round match on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 7:00 p.m.
The match between the two rivals will hold special significance as the winner will be assured a berth in the NAIA National Championship tournament. The loser–despite being ranked one of the top five teams in the country–will have its season come to an end as just four teams from the region can advance to the NAIA National Championships.
Biola defeated Azusa Pacific twice during the regular season after losing the last seven matches to the Cougars coming into the season. The Eagles downed APU 17-30, 30-17, 30-23, 30-28 in the first matchup in La Mirada, then pulled off a quick 30-27, 30-26, 30-22 sweep when the teams battled on Tuesday in Azusa.
The Eagles, ranked No. 4 in the NAIA, wrapped up the regular season on Saturday with a 27-6 record, their best mark since the 2003 season when they reached the NAIA National Semifinals. The Cougars, who come in ranked No. 5 nationally, finished the season at 21-9.
GSAC champion Fresno Pacific earned the top seed in the tournament and opens against the champion from the CalPac Conference, Holy Names University. In other first round action, No. 2-seed California Baptist hosts No. 7-seed Vanguard University and No. 3-seeded Concordia takes on No. 6 Point Loma Nazarene in Irvine. All matches are on Tuesday and begin at 7:00 p.m.
The first-round winners meet for the semifinals and finals on Friday and Saturday, hosted by the highest remaining seed. The winner of the regional tournament earns an automatic berth into the NAIA National Championships while the other three semifinalist will earn at-large berths.
Tickets for the Biola vs. Azusa Pacific match will be available at the door and cost $7 for adults, $5 for staff and faculty and $4 for students. Children under 10 will be admitted free. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with first serve scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
