Nov. 14, 2005

Villanova, Pa. - The Villanova volleyball team (21-10) will face #8 Notre Dame (24-2) in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament held at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky. on Friday, Nov. 18 at 12:30 p.m.

Villanova secured its second conference tournament berth in three years, as the no. 8 seed, after a 3-0 win over DePaul in the Wildcats' last regular season match. `Nova played to an 8-6 BIG EAST record in the regular season.

Co-BIG EAST regular season champion Notre Dame earned the #1 seeding by virtue of a 3-1 victory over co-champion Louisville on Oct. 29. The Irish and the Cardinals had identical 13-1 conference records in 2005.

Villanova will be making its 13th trip to the BIG EAST Tournament since joining the conference in 1982. The Wildcats have a 15-21 record in conference tournament matches, and their best showing came in 1997 when they finished second.

The Fighting Irish have a stranglehold on the all-time series between ND and Villanova, winning all 14 contests played in the last 23 years. The Irish and the `Cats have met twice before in the BIG EAST Tournament. ND defeated `Nova 3-0 (15-3, 15-9, 15-12) on Nov. 18, 1995 and 3-1 (15-9, 3-15, 10-15, 4-15) on Nov. 23, 1997 en route to two of the Irish's eight conference championships.

Should `Nova advance, the team will meet the winner of no. 4 seed Cincinnati/ no. 5 seed St. John's on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 1:00 p.m. The championship match will be aired live on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 3:00 p.m. on CSTV.