Royals to host top v-ball tourney

The men’s volleyball team has had an outstanding program in recent years. Their standard of play has given EMU the opportunity to host the national Division III tournament in the Spring of 2004.

The number of Division III schools with men’s programs is too small to be officially part of the NCAA. However, the Molten Division III National Invitational, which is what the Royals will be hosting this season, is Div. III men’s volleyball’s version of the NCAA tournament.

Teams that qualify for the tournament must win their individual leagues. The conference that the team belongs to is the North Eastern Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA), which is one of a small selection of men’s collegiate volleyball leagues nationwide. Two teams are sent from NECVA to the Final Four and joining them is the top team from the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA), and the top team from the Midwest and West leagues.

Jason Axford, head coach of the EMU team, said that hosting the tournament is "huge publicity for both the program and the school." The event will mark the first time that the tournament has come to Virginia. Axford is optimistic, due largely to this year’s incoming freshman, that the Royals will make it to the Final Four to play in front of a home crowd. His recruiting class this season includes Jay Sawicki, the New Jersey High School Player of the Year and also a Fab 50 nominee, and Brandon Ratliff, Arizona’s High School Player of the Year.

The selection of EMU to host such an important tournament is due largely to the facilities and to the reputation and success of the team in the past. It is an honor and a compliment to the men’s volleyball program to host the event.