SIOUX CITY, Iowa --- The No. 9-ranked Biola University volleyball team travels to Iowa this week for the 2011 NAIA National Volleyball Tournament at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City. The Eagles are making their fifth-straight tournament appearance and 11th overall.

The Eagles open the tournament with three pool play matches, facing each team for the first time in program history. First up is No. 16 Spring Hill College (Ala.) on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. CT. On Wednesday, the Eagles take on No. 25 Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) also at 3:15 p.m. CT before closing out pool play at the same time on Thursday against the top seed in the pool: No. 4 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.).

The top two teams from each of the six pools advance to the bracket portion of the tournament which begins on Friday morning.

The Eagles reached the NAIA Tournament by earning one of eight at-large berths. Biola wrapped up the 2011 regular season with a 23-12 overall record, finishing tied for fourth in the incredibly-tough GSAC with a 10-8 mark. A solid finish to the season helped the Eagles move up to No. 9 in the final NAIA rankings, giving Biola an Opening Round bye for the fourth-straight season.

The Eagles are making their fifth-consecutive trip to the NAIA Tournament and their 11th overall. Biola has reached the quarterfinals in nine of its previous 10 appearances including a pair of National Runner-Up finishes (1985 and 1997). The Eagles have an impressive 38-20 all-time record in tournament matches, the fourth-most wins of any active NAIA team and an impressive .656 winning percentage.

Last year, Biola again reached the NAIA Quarterfinals, placing second in its pool by going 2-1. The Eagles defeated rival Concordia in five in the first match of bracket play, before falling in the quarters to Texas-Brownsville.

Tournament notes and more information can be found by CLICKING HERE. Live video and commentary by Biola alumni Josh Banker is available for all tournament matches by CLICKING HERE.