Madonna spikers to meet top-10 foes

The Madonna University women's volleyball team will face a pair of top-10 ranked teams during pool play in the 2012 NAIA Volleyball National Championship, which starts Tuesday in Sioux City, Ia.

The Crusaders, 34-7 overall, were placed in Pool C with No. 3-Columbia College (Mo.) and No. 10-ranked Oklahoma Baptist, along with Carroll College (Mont.).

Madonna comes in ranked 15th overall following their 3-1 victory Nov. 17 at home over St. Xavier (Ill.) in the NAIA opening round after claiming both the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships.

Beginning at 4:15 p.m. (CST) Tuesday, the Crusaders face Oklahoma Baptist (32-4) before taking on Columbia (37-1) at 2 p.m. Wednesday before wrapping up pool play at 2 p.m. Thursday against Carroll (25-9).

The top two teams in each pool advance to the single elimination round of play that begins on Friday.

Madonna is 26-23 in its 12 appearances in the NAIA Nationals and is making its first championship appearance since 2008.