The University of Northern Iowa volleyball team (24-9) received a bid to the NCAA volleyball tournament on Sunday. The Panthers will be going up against the Kansas State Wildcats (21-8) in the first round match on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Lincoln, Nebraska. The other match up in Lincoln features Maryland Eastern shore and No. 4 seed Nebraska. 

The Panthers will be making their 18th overall NCAA appearance, and this is seventh consecutive season they have made the NCAA tournament. UNI is 13-17 all-time in the NCAA tournament and have advanced to the Sweet 16 on three occasions, most recently in 2002. Last season, the Panthers defeated Niagara (3-0), before falling to Florida (3-1) in the second round.