CHICAGO – After a record-setting performance at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Tournament, the University of Chicago women's volleyball team is primed and ready to make a deep run in the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Tournament. With their eyes on the trophy, the Maroons head to Marietta, Ohio where they will face the Centre College Colonels in the opening round. Match time is set for 2:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 21. The winner will move on to take on the victor of the match between Franklin & Marshall and Illinois Wesleyan on Friday, November 22 at 4:30 p.m. in the second round.

The NCAA Tournament features 64 teams, with a single-elimination format to determine the national champion. The Maroons, 24-10 on the season, will look to carry their momentum from an exciting UAA Tournament, where the team finished third in an extremely competitive pool after two wins and one loss.

The Maroons enter the NCAA Tournament with a 24-10 overall record, showcasing a well-rounded and dynamic team with both offensive firepower and defensive resilience. At the net, the Maroons have proven themselves especially dangerous. Led by junior outside hitter Diya Mishra, who has collected 307 kills on the season, the Maroons are a relentless offensive force. But they are not reliant on just one weapon—Amelia Gibbs (295 kills, 86 blocks) and Thalita Marangon (258 kills, 343 digs) form a dynamic trio that has opposing defenses on constant alert. The team's serving skill is also a key offensive strength, led by Cheung (47 aces), Marangon (46 aces), and Nicole Martinez (40 aces), creating consistent scoring opportunities across the court that overwhelm their opponent's defense.

The success of the Maroon's fast-paced offense also relies on a dual-setter system, with Hillary Cheung (612 assists) and Grace Xu (528 assists) spreading the attack across the court. Their double threat creates a flexible offense and unpredictable attacking style, keeping their opponents on their toes. Defensively, the Maroons are equally formidable, with Kennedy Cheung (317 digs) anchoring the back row and Marangon's 343 digs providing excellent coverage for the team. At the net, UChicago's blocking unit, highlighted by Gibbs, Mishra, and Keeley Kandziora (62 blocks) puts a roof over their opponent's attack attempts. Each member of the team contributes defensively, which they will be able to use to obstruct the Colonels' forceful offense.

Centre College enters the NCAA Tournament with a 22-6 record having reached the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Championship after an impressive 11-1 conference record. The Colonels are led by Syd Bietz, who has recorded a team-high 336 kills this season and is a constant offensive threat. She is joined by Mack Turner (223 kills) and Hollye Tate (177 kills) providing offensive support.

At setter, Emily Gardner has tallied 1,069 assists this season, orchestrating Centre's offense with precision. The Colonels' serving game is another area of strength, led by June Padilla (53 aces) and Madi Winfield (31 aces), who help disrupt opponent systems and create scoring opportunities. Defensively, Centre relies on Padilla's 492 digs, while Turner's 82 blocks make her a presence at the net. The Colonels are a balanced and deep team, known for their fast-paced offense and aggressive serving strategy. Bietz and Gardner were also selected to the SAA All-Tournament Team.

The Maroons have recently been playing at their highest level in the UAA Tournament, where they bounced back after a resilient loss to top-seeded Emory University with wins over Carnegie Mellon University and Case Western Reserve University. UChicago's ability to compete against high-level opponents in the UAA has prepared them for the talent of the NCAA Tournament, where they'll face an equally tough field. With a hard-fought season now behind them, UChicago is poised and ready for the NCAA Tournament. The Maroons will look to continue their winning streak further into the postseason and advance to the national quarterfinals in Salem, VA.

NCAA Marietta, OH Regional Schedule
- Thursday, November 21 – UChicago vs. Centre College, 2:00 p.m. EST
- Friday, November 22 – TBD vs. TBD, 4:30 p.m. EST
- Saturday, November 23 – TBD vs. TBD, 7:00 p.m. EST