For the first time since 1999, the University of La Verne will not be participating in the NCAA Championship Volleyball Tournament.
Despite a strong late-season push, La Verne (19-11) failed to receive an at-large bid to the NCAAs as the official pairings were announced earlier today.
The Leopards were 11-9 in mid-October but rallied to go 8-2 in their final 10 matches, with both defeats coming to nationally-ranked and league champion Cal Lutheran. The Leos won five consecutive conference matches to finish 8-6 in SCIAC play to finish tied for third in the league standings.
West Region representatives Cal Lutheran, Colorado College and Whitworth each received automatic bids into the 63-team field by virtue of winning their respective conferences. Puget Sound (18-6) earned the West's lone at-large berth.
La Verne enjoyed a streak of 10 straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2000 to 2009. Last season, the Leos earned an NCAA at-large berth and reached the West Region final, falling to Colorado College in the championship match.
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