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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Prosecution: Defendant said he was sorry for stabbing ... Direct hit: Storm leaves destruction in its wake ... Range hopes to curb tracer bullets, fires ... Prosecution: Defendant said he was sorry for stabbing ... Direct hit: Storm leaves destruction in its wake ... Range hopes to curb tracer bullets, fires ... COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL Tourney-bound Raiders in difficult bracket Comment By SOU Sports Information MailTribune.com By SOU Sports Information Posted Dec. 1, 2014 at 6:17 PM By SOU Sports Information Posted Dec. 1, 2014 at 6:17 PM » Social News ASHLAND — Southern Oregon will take a different kind of team on its third trip since 2010 to Sioux City, Iowa, for the NAIA volleyball championships, according to head coach Josh Rohlfing. The 17th-ranked Raiders are also in a different kind of four-team pool than they’ve ever been assigned to before, alongside the defending NAIA champion as well as the most decorated team in the tournament’s history. SOU (23-5 overall), making its eighth all-time appearance in the tournament (and seventh at the final site), is guaranteed at least three matches this week at the Tyson Events Center, as are the 23 other teams that advanced. The Raiders start today with No. 8 Columbia (Mo.), which is 33-5 and a three-time champion making its 21st straight appearance. On Wednesday SOU plays No. 4 Texas Brownsvile (29-4), which went undefeated in 2013. On Thursday, the Raiders have their second meeting this season with No. 21 Vanguard (Calif.), which is 23-11. SOU swept the first match. There are six pools, and the top two teams from each pool will move on to single-elimination play on Friday and Saturday. In the event of a tie within the pools, a one-set tiebreaker will decide who advances. “I feel like ours might be the pool of the tournament, and it’s definitely going to test our mettle,” Rohlfing said. “But this is probably the top team we’ve brought here in terms of sheer athleticism. Whether we can show the skill and mental capacity to come out and put that to work against these teams will be interesting to watch.” SOU made it to Iowa by sweeping College of the Ozarks (Mo.) in an opening-round home match on Nov. 22, 25-17, 25-15 and 25-14. The Raiders went 16-2 to win a share of the Cascade Conference regular-season title but took an at-large bid into the NAIA tournament after bowing out in the semifinals of the CCC tournament. SOU’s last appearance in Iowa, in 2011, was the first time it had ever gotten out of pool play. Rohlfing has recently become increasingly optimistic about the Raiders’ chances of doing it again this week. “I’m really amazed at the level this team has stepped up to over the last 10 days,” he said. “It’s almost like there was a feeling of relief when we got done with conference stuff. That match against Ozarks was probably our best volleyball of the year, and it started feeling like we were playing with a new sense of purpose and a new urgency, which is exciting. There’s a lot of potential to do something special.” By SOU Sports Information MailTribune.com By SOU Sports Information Posted Dec. 1, 2014 at 6:17 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501