#1 Golden Bears Kick Off National Tournament Tomorrow

Dec. 01– LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The #1 Golden Bears (29-4, 20-0 NSIC) are set to take on #6 Cal State San Bernardino (28-2) tomorrow, after being in Kentucky for almost two days. CU will take on the Coyotes at 11 a.m. CST. The Golden Bears and Coyotes have a storied history in the NCAA Elite Eight, this marks the third straight year they face each other in the National Tournament, and the fourth time since 2003. So far CU has had the favorable outcome the first three times. This will be the first time they face them in the opening round.

Concordia has won 19 straight matches since falling to Southwest Minnesota State on the road, September 28. Since 2007 the Golden Bears have won 21 straight NCAA Tornament Matches on their way to three straight national titles. Last week CU captured their fourth straight NCAA Regional. The Golden Bears are 4-1 all time in the NCAA National Quarterfinals.

This marks the first time since CU won the National Championship in 2007 that they will be on the road for the National Tournament. This year CU is in Louisville, Kentucky for the NCAA's Fall Festival hosted by Bellarmine University.

The Golden Bears are looking to win their fourth straight National Title and send seniors Emily Palkert and Krista Erickson off with four Championship Rings. They face a tough task as the route features a match with west coast rival Cal State in the first round and possible rematches with either Tampa or Grand Valley State in the finals if CU can get that far. Both Tampa and Grand Valley State have handed the Golden Bears a loss this season.

CU takes the court with five AVCA All-Americans including National Freshman of the Year Amanda Konetchy. CU also has AVCA Regional Coach of the Year Brady Starkey at the helm. You can catch all the matches in the Elite Eight at NCAA.com or clicking on the link above.