BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) – For just the second time in program history, the Tornado triumphed in the Conference Carolinas tournament championship on Saturday night.
Playing on their home floor, King rallied to defeat No. 1 seed North Greeneville in five sets to secure the win – and an automatic invitation to the NCAA Tournament. The Tornado also defeated the second and sixth seeds in the tournament to complete a perfect weekend.
Sunday’s NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship selection show revealed the seeding and matchups for the seven-team field.
“Just seeing all our hard work pay off that we get to go play in a national championship, which only seven teams get to go to and having the opportunity to be one of those seven teams in only four years playing college volleyball – it’s an awesome experience,” senior setter Jack Sarnowski explained.
King will face No. 11 Ohio State in a First Round matchup on Sunday, April 30 at 6 p.m. The entire championship will be played at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
“I wasn’t really like – this could actually be me – and then to get to the point where it was me? I saw King University Tennessee on there – just insane,” junior outside hitter and Conference Carolinas tournament MVP Warren Davis said.
“It means a lot to us and I hope it means a lot to the community, as well, that we can put them on the map a little bit,” senior outside hitter Jackson Carroll said.
The Buckeyes notched their eleventh-straight victory on the season, winning the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association championship over Ball State on Saturday.
OSU and the Tornado have a postseason history, as the two programs met back in the 2018 NCAA Tournament – King’s last national tournament appearance. The Buckeyes won the matchup in straight sets.
The winner of Sunday’s First Round match will face Penn State in the quarterfinals. For a complete bracket, click here.
