2019 NIVC Bracket
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Three teams from the American Athletic Conference were selected for the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) on Sunday night, following the unveiling of the 2019 NCAA Division I Volleyball Championship bracket. Tulane, Houston and Tulsa are set to represent The American in the third edition of the NIVC.
A total of 32 teams were tabbed to the 2019 NIVC, and all games in the tournament will be hosted at participating institutions. The American has sent a total of 10 teams to the NIVC over the tournament’s first three years of existence, posting a combined 7-7 mark in tournament play in 2017 and 2018.
Tulane (21-10, 10-6) returns to the NIVC for the second straight season, finishing as the 2018 runner-up after compiling a 4-1 run through the tournament before a loss at Iowa State in the final round. Tulane posted the No. 71 ranking in the selection edition of the RPI, logging seven wins over top-100 teams during the 2019 regular season and American Athletic Conference Volleyball Championship. The Green Wave travel to Colgate to take on New Hampshire on Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. (ET), with the winner slated to face host Colgate or Boston College on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. (ET).
Tulsa (15-15, 8-8) earned a return NIVC trip after making its inaugural appearance in the tournament in 2018. The Golden Hurricane faced the 27th-ranked schedule in the nation during the regular season, earning four wins against the top 100 of the selection version of the RPI. Tulsa travels to Long Beach State to collide with UC Davis on Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. (ET), with the winner to face host Long Beach State or Santa Clara on Dec. 5 at 10 p.m. (ET).
Houston (16-16, 10-6) is set to make its first NIVC appearance after tying with Tulane a single game back in the West Division of The American during the regular season. The Cougars posted four top-100 RPI victories on their ledger entering the postseason. Houston remains in-state and heads to UT-Arlington to take on Sam Houston State on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. (ET), with the winner advancing to play either host UT-Arlington or UTSA on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
The third round of the NIVC will be held Dec. 9-12, and the tournament semifinal round is set for Dec. 13-15. The championship match of the NIVC is slated for Dec. 17.
American Athletic Conference Teams in the 2019 NIVC
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 8 p.m. (ET)
Tulsa vs. UC Davis – Long Beach, California
Thursday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. (ET)
Houston vs. Sam Houston State – Arlington, Texas
Friday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. (ET)
Tulane vs. New Hampshire – Hamilton, New York