THE FIRST SERVE
The Southwest Minnesota State University Mustang volleyball team advanced to the Division II NCAA National Chmapionship match and and will play Tampa (Fla.) in Knights Hall on the campus of Bellamine University at  3 p.m. CST. SMSU defeated Sonoma State in the quarterfinals on Thursday before sweeping Grand Valley State in the semifinals on Friday to advance. The Mustangs enter the contest 26-9 while Tampa is 33-1 with its only loss being to the Mustangs earlier this year.

OPPONENT AT A GLANCE
TAMPA — Tampa is in the Sunshine State Conference and is located in Tampa, Fla. The Spartans are ranked No. 1 in the AVCA poll and have been ranked every week since 1996. Tampa won the NCAA Championship in 2006. Tampa defeated Wheeling Jesuit in the quarterfinal round and Arkansas-Fort Smith in route to the national championship match. UT has swept 22 of its opponents and have only given up 12 sets this season. Berkley Whaley entered the tournament leading the Spartans in kills with 409 while Marrissa Lisenbeen posted 289. Kahley Patrick powered the offense with her 1,285 assists. Head coach, Chris Catanach is in this 31st season with a career record of 969-166 (.854) (all at UT).