Seven for Seven
December 8, 2023 | by Taylor Pill
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The National Christian College Athletic Association announced the field for the 2024 Men's Volleyball National Invitational, and the Sabercats are seeded #7 for the start of their seventh varsity season, and it marks their sixth consecutive appearance at the national event - the longest tenure of anyone at the tournament.
Maranatha opens with two matches on Friday, January 26 beginning at noon Eastern against the third-seeded Bruins of Carolina University. Maranatha then turns their attention to the top-seeded Warner University Royals at 7:30 p.m. that same night.
The results of those two matches will dictate the seedings for a slate of matches on Saturday, January 27.
For the first time in the modern era, the tournament will be held in Rochester, New York at Roberts Wesleyan University. The seven teams will face off in a modified pool-play format with the winner claiming the title of NCCAA National Champion.
SCHEDULE | VIDEO (PPV) | INFORMATION | DIRECTIONS
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FIELD
Here is a brief overview of the seven-team field, which features four teams that did not compete in the 2023 tournament:
| Team | Nickname | Location | 2023 Finish |
| #1 Warner | Royals | Lake Wales, Fla. | DNP |
| #2 Redeemer | Royals | Ontario, Canada | DNP |
| #3 Carolina | Bruins | Winston-Salem, N.C. | DNP |
| #4 Roberts Wesleyan | Red Hawks | Rochester, N.Y. | DNP |
| #5 Geneva | Golden Tornadoes | Beaver Falls, Pa. | 4th Place |
| #6 Houghton | Highlanders | Caneadea, N.Y. | DNP |
| #7 Maranatha | Sabercats | Watertown, Wis. | 7th Place |
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FORMAT
The Sabercats are guaranteed four matches, as the 2024 invitational will be a modified pool play event. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the National Semifinal while the bottom three face off for 5th place in the consolation bracket.
For a full tournament schedule and other important information, go here.
