| Get Email Alerts | Get Text Updates | Buy Photos |

| Watch (channel 3) | Live Stats | Tournament Site | NCAA Notes |

St. Paul, Minn. - The Saint Benedict volleyball team went through their final practice on Nov. 7, getting ready to open play in the 2012 NCAA Tournament today (Nov. 8).

The Blazers open against Dominican (Ill.) at 12:30 p.m., kicking off a big day of volleyball action at the regional tournament, and they feel their ready.

“I think we feel good,” said sophomore libero Victoria Nass. “Everyone is just excited to get out and play, and we just need to play our game and I think we'll be alright.”

Allowed just 55 minutes of practice time on the competition floor the day before the game, the Blazers went through a crisp session Wednesday night at St. Thomas' Schoenecker Arena.

“I feel like we had a really good practice today, and were all really excited to be the NCAA tournament,” said junior outside hitter Chelsea Rachel. “I feel like we're going to go into tomorrow strong.”

The Blazers will take some extra experience into tomorrow as well, as all seven of their regular starters played in the NCAA Tournament last season. That experience will help eliminate some of the awe factor and let the Blazers just get right to playing.

“It definitely helps having experience,” Rachel said. “It definitely takes some of the nerves away, and our entire team t has been there. That will help things year and we'll be more confident and know what to expect.”

The expectation is to make it a weekend in St. Paul this season, starting at 12:30 p.m., Nov. 8 in the NCAA Regional First Round.