Program
The North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) and the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) have once again partnered for an MIAA-NCAC volleyball challenge, Battle at the Point, which is slated for Friday-Saturday, Sept. 10-11, at the Cedar Point Sports Center in Sandusky, Ohio.
"It is not often that you get two entire conferences competing under one roof," commented Hope College head coach Becky Schmidt. "I don't think there is a better way to build camaraderie with conference colleagues and participate in meaning-filled competition than through this tournament."
"Bringing the MIAA and NCAC programs together to play some high-level volleyball was such a great experience in 2019," said Kirsta Cobb, Ohio Wesleyan head volleyball coach. "It was a really unique and amazing experience having the opportunity to watch and cheer on our conference teams, and then to also be under the same roof as so many storied and competitive programs in both the NCAC and the MIAA. We are looking forward to doing it again this year because it was such a great experience before, but also because it can become a big celebration after losing last season due to COVID. We are grateful to both commissioners who have put so much effort into making this tournament a reality, as well as to Cedar Point and the amazing facility that we will get to compete in this year. It should be a high level and fun atmosphere the entire weekend."
"Playing a conference crossover was challenging with good competition," stated Calvin University head coach Amber Warners. "It was also really fun because it gave us an opportunity to root for our league member teams for the first time. I believe that brought us together more as a volleyball league as well as having the opportunity to interact with players from our league opponents."
In 2019, the two leagues partnered to create a cross-conference event that brought together two of the most competitive volleyball conferences in the nation. To note, an MIAA or an NCAC team has competed in the NCAA Division III Volleyball National Championship match every year there has been a championship since 2010. During that span, Calvin (2010, 2013, 2016) and Hope (2014) of the MIAA and Wittenberg (2011) of the NCAC have prevailed as NCAA Division III National Champions, representing five national titles.
In the 2021 AVCA Preseason Top 25 Coaches Poll on Aug. 23, Calvin was ranked No. 3 nationally and Hope came in at No. 7, while Wittenberg and Ohio Wesleyan received votes.
Competition begins Friday, Sept. 10 at 5:00 p.m. with action on four of the five courts for the 18-team event. Matches continue at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Saturday's matches are slated for 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. A full schedule is below. Tickets for the event are $10 per day or $15 for the full weekend.
For more event information, visit https://northcoast.prestosports.com/sports/wvball/2021-22/releases/BattleatthePoint.
NCAC-MIAA Volleyball Battle at the Point Schedule
Friday, Sept. 10 - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 10 - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 11 - 10:30 a.m.
Saint Mary's 3, Kenyon 0
Alma 3, DePauw 1
Wooster 3, Trine 1
Hiram 3, Adrian 0
Allegheny 3, Kalamazoo 0
Saturday, Sept. 11 - 12:30 p.m.
Wittenberg 3, Hope 2
Kenyon 3, Olivet 0
Calvin 3, Ohio Wesleyan 1
Oberlin 3, Kalamazoo 0
Denison 3, Albion 1
Saturday, Sept. 11 - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 11 - 4:30 p.m.
Calvin 3, Denison 0
Hope 3, Ohio Wesleyan 0
Wittenberg3, Albion 0
