TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS

Lexington, Ky. – The No. 3 nationally-ranked Transylvania volleyball team will begin the 2021 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Volleyball Tournament at the Beck Center on Friday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m. versus the No. 19 ranked Bluffton University Beavers in the conference semifinal matchup.

After finishing at the top of the HCAC regular season standings for the second straight season with a record of 8-1, the Pioneers have earned the No. 1 seed in the four-team tournament and host the No. 4 seed Beavers in Friday's home semifinal.

Having advanced to the NCAA Tournament in its most recent season prior to the 2020-21 season, Transylvania has completed another landmark season by reaching its highest national ranking in program history at No. 3 in this week's AVCA Week 1 Top 25 poll. The Pioneers carry an overall record of 13-1 into Friday's game against Bluffton, who holds an overall record of 15-7 and 6-3 in the HCAC.

Friday's contest pits a regular season rematch between the teams. Transylvania beat Bluffton 3-2 and 3-0 in a January 30 doubleheader at Transylvania.

As the conference tournament begins, the Pioneers aim to also defend their conference tournament crown from the fall 2019 season when they defeated Earlham in three sets to sweep the HCAC regular season and conference tournament titles for the first time in program history.

The winner of Friday's semifinal will advance to the Sunday conference championship match. As the highest seed, the Pioneers would host the winner of No. 2 Mount St. Joseph and No. 3 Bluffton on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Beck Center with a win in Friday's semifinal.

Friday's game will be broadcast live via the Transy Sports Network.

For more on Transylvania volleyball, follow @TransylvaniaWVB on Twitter