BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield volleyball team finished the regular season with a 16-13 overall record and a 9-5 record in the ultra-competitive Western Athletic Conference.

The `Runners earned the four seed at the WAC tournament that begins on Thursday, Nov. 16, with the final to be played Saturday, Nov.18.  The winner of the tournament gets an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. 

Giovana Melo, CSUB's Director of Volleyball, talked about how great tournament time is for everyone involved.  "The WAC tournament is the best time of the year.  We have a tough bracket, but I have confidence in the girls.  We are ready for battle."

CSUB will open up the tournament against the five seed Seattle U (11-16, 7-7).  Third seed Utah Valley (14-15, 9-5) will play a first round match against sixth seeded UMKC (9-18, 5-9).  New Mexico State (21-7, 12-2) is the top seed and the regular season WAC Champion and WAC tournament host UTRGV (16-11, 10-4) earned the second seed.  Both NMSU and UTRGV get a first round bye for earning the top two seeds in the tournament.

The `Runners and Seattle U both protected home court when they played each other this season.  The `Runners swept Seattle U at the Icardo Center in Bakersfield and then Seattle U defeated CSUB 3-1 in Seattle.  But this time, the match will be played on a neutral court.
The advantage Melo may have over some other teams is her depth.  The `Runners can go 11 deep and Melo can ride the hot hand, which can be huge in a one and done scenario like the `Runners will be in at the WAC tournament. 

The tournament will be broadcast live on the WAC Digital Network at www.wacsports.com/watch, as well as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Roku devices.