The bracket and seeds are officially set for the 2009 SWAC Volleyball Championship this weekend November 21-22 in Grambling, LA. The top four finishers from the Eastern and Western divisions will travel to the campus of Grambling State University to contend for the 2009 SWAC Volleyball title.
In the East, two-time defending champion Alabama A&M posted a perfect 8-0 record in the SWAC to clinch the #1 seed in its division. The Bulldogs have won eight of the last nine championships and will go for their third consecutive title this weekend. With a 6-2 slate in the East, Jackson State will head into the tournament in the #2 slot. The Lady Tigers suffered two close losses to Alabama A&M this season and will vie for their first volleyball title in school history.
At 4-4 in the SWAC’s Eastern division, Mississippi Valley State claims the #3 seed. The Devilettes, who claimed the #1 seed in last year’s tournament, will look to bring home its first volleyball title in program history. Alabama State rounds out the Eastern bracket with the #4 position. With a 2-6 record, the Lady Hornets will head to Grambling, LA after narrowing missing the tournament last year.
Host Grambling State commands the #1 seed in the West with an unblemished 8-0 record. After sweeping through the West, the Lady Tigers will look to clinch their first title since 1997 on their home court. With a 6-2 conference slate, Prairie View A&M takes the #2 spot in the West. The Lady Panthers last won the championship in 2006 and have garnered three total titles in school history.
Texas Southern and Southern have clinched the West’s #3 and #4 seeds, respectively. With a 4-4 record, the Lady Tigers are in search of their first SWAC title since 1994 and seventh overall. Southern punched the last ticket in the West with a 2-6 slate. The Lady Jaguars last saw a tournament title in 1998.
The 2009 SWAC Volleyball tournament will begin play at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 21st. Matches will be played at Grambling State’s Assembly Center and Memorial Gym. Sunday’s Championship match will be televised live on ESPNU at 7 p.m. (CT). First round match ups are below. 2009 tournament bracket is attached.
First Round Match-Ups
Game 1 – 9 a.m.: #2 West – Prairie View A&M vs. #3 East – Mississippi Valley State
Game 2 – 9 a.m.: #2 East – Jackson State vs. #3 West – Texas Southern
Game 3 – 11 a.m.: #1 East – Alabama A&M vs. #4 West – Southern
Game 4 – 11 a.m.: #1 West – Grambling State vs. #4 East – Alabama State
