The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is proud to announce an extension with the Sioux City (Iowa) Convention and Tourism Bureau/Sports Authority to host the 2010, 2011 and 2012 NAIA Volleyball National Championships. This organization hosted the 2008 event and the 2009 Championship is scheduled to run from December 1-5 in the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in downtown Sioux City, Iowa.

"The NAIA has had a tremendous partnership for our Volleyball National Championship with the Sioux City Convention and Tourism Bureau and Sports Authority this past season. Sioux City is a strong advocate and fan of the NAIA and is committed to the student-athlete experience," said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. "We anticipate another great event for our student-athletes and fans through 2012 and thank Sioux City for carrying on the rich tradition of the NAIA."

The format of the National Championship is 36 teams selected with the top 12 seeds earning a bye in the National Championship Opening Round. There are 12 Opening Round matches played on campus sites with those winners meeting the top 12 seeds at the final site of the National Championship. The final 24 teams are placed into six pools and play a round robin pool format with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the single elimination bracket. The 30th Annual National Championship finals match is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. CST.

For information on tickets, call 800-593-2228 or click here.

Sioux City has a long history of hosting national championship events. Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena has hosted the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championships since 2004 and Sioux City Auditorium was the site from 1998-2003. The Tyson Events Center also hosted the NAIA Wrestling National Championships from 2005-2008.

“We are very excited to have the volleyball championship contract extended with the NAIA,” said Aran Rush, Sioux City Events Facilities Bureau Executive Director. “We are proud of our city and our facilities and to continue to have this event to attract people to Sioux City is tremendous.

“This event is perfect for the Tyson Events Center and we feel the NAIA has a long term home here in Sioux City for this event.”

Last season, No. 1 Fresno Pacific (Calif.) rallied from a two-game deficit to defeat No. 3 Concordia (Calif.), 3-2 (24-26, 27-29, 25-21, 25-15 and 15-11) to capture its second straight and fourth overall National Championship. The Sunbirds have won the most volleyball titles (4) among any current NAIA member.

“Our goal was to develop a long term relationship with the NAIA with this event and this contract extension is a definite step in that direction,” said Corey Westra, Sioux City Sports Authority President and Commissioner of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). “Sioux City has proven to be a great Championship destination and we are excited to have both NAIA Volleyball and Division II Women’s Basketball through at least 2012.”

To learn more about the NAIA, visit www.naia.org.