WASHINGTON - The American University volleyball team (24-4) is headed to the NCAA Tournament and will face the fifth-seeded Colorado Buffaloes (22-8) in the NCAA First Round on Thursday, Dec. 4 at Indiana at 3 p.m. The Hoosiers earned hosting rights by virtue of being one of the top 16 overall seeds, coming in at No. 4. Indiana is taking on Toledo in the other first-round match at 5:30 p.m on Friday.

The winners of the two Thursday matches will play on Friday at 6:00 p.m. in the NCAA Second Round, also at Indiana.

The Eagles are winners of 17 straight matches and played exceptional volleyball on the way to the program's 17th Patriot League title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. AU swept both Navy and Army in the postseason matchups, posting a conference tournament record .529 hitting percentage in the championship game against the Black Knights.

American is playing in the NCAA Tournament for the 19th time in program history, most recently appearing in the first round in 2019. AU's deepest run came in 2013, when the Eagles won two matches to advance to the Sweet 16. 

It was a historic regular season for the Eagles, as six players were selected to the All-Patriot League teams for the first time since 2004. Deniz Dakak was named both the Player of the Year and Setter of the Year, Sophie Dufour Rookie of the Year, Bella Marrero Libero of the Year, and the Coaching Staff of the Year was awarded to Ahen Kim and his assistants. Prinzez Zeck, Elise Sterling, and Salme Adeele Hollas round out the impressive showing with spots on the All-League teams.

The Eagles dropped their first PL match of the year against Colgate on Sept. 19 in five sets, and have not lost since. Among AU's 17 straight wins are 13 3-0 sweeps. 

The Colorado Buffaloes went 22-8 on the season and were ranked No. 23 in the final NCAA poll of the regular season, earning one of 10 at-large bids out of the BIG 12. Ana Burilovic's 537 kills leads the team, while Rian Finley has directed the Buffaloes' offense with 1,063 assists. Maria Splawska and Kayla Payne lead the way up front with 132 and 120 blocks, respectively, and Sarah Morton has taken on 310 digs. 

This year marks Colorado's 22nd NCAA appearance, last reaching the tournament in 2022 and falling to Rice in the first round. 

AU and Colorado have met twice in program history, once in 2001 and once in 2005. The Buffaloes won both matches via sweep. 

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