The USCAA Volleyball National Championships kickoff today in upstate New York on the campus of SUNY-Canton.  10 teams are battling for the championship in two five team pools - from which the top four advance into the national quarterfinals.  Pool play includes the best two-out-of-three sets, while bracket play will be best three-out-of-five sets.

The Berea College Mountaineers had two matches on the day as they took on the Celtics of Carlow University and the Falcons of Florida College.

vs. Carlow University

The Mountaineers came out showing no "first time jitters" and completely dismanted the Celtics in straight sets 25-15 and 25-14.  The blue crew offense was efficient and lethal as First Team All-American Simone Brown led the way pounding down a team high eight kills with a steller .583 hitting percentage.  She was followed closely by Senior Kaitlynne Smith who had six kills, no errors on 10 swings for a .600 hitting percentage.  Both players were also the leaders of the BC defense with three blocks each, while Taylor Ashworth scooped up eight digs.

vs. Florida College

The Mountaineers, the fifth seeded team in the tournament, got a taste of their own medicine when they ran into the #1 seeded and ranked Florida College Panthers.  The Panthers won a hard fought first set 25-20, then turned on the after burners and leveled the Mountianeers 25-14 in the second set.  Four players, Simone Brown, Kaitlynne Smith, Kyra Robinson and Nicole Baker each accounted three kills to led the Mountaineers. 

What's Next

Tomorrow Berea takes on the tournaments #3 seed in Alfred State at 10:00 am.  They will then take on the #7 seed Tennessee Temple at 1:00 pm.  One more victory will assure the Mountaineers a birth in Friday evenings national quarterfinals.  You can follow all the action at the USCAA Volleyball National Championships at www.theuscaa.com.