--- For a fifth consecutive year, the Tusculum Pioneers have earned an large berth to the NCAA Division II Volleyball Tournament. (Regional Site | Team Notes | Live Video | Live Stats)

The Pioneers will be the fourth-seed at this year's Southeast Regional, hosted by Wingate University. Tusculum (21-10) will open against a familiar opponent Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m., as the Pioneers take on No. 5-seed Anderson from Wingate's Cuddy Arena.

The Trojans (18-14) eliminated the Pioneers in the semifinal round of the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament two weeks ago in Newberry, S.C. That 3-2 loss snapped a 12-match winning streak vs. Anderson. Tusculum swept the regular-season series with the Trojans, winning 3-2 at Anderson on Oct. 5 and followed that with a 3-0 sweep over AU at Tusculum on Nov. 9.

Three Tusculum seniors will be making their fourth straight postseason appearance this weekend as the trio of Caitlyn Dean, Ashley Sarmiento and Kassie Voelker have put together one of the best four-year spans in school history (88-38, .698). Over the last four years, TC has recorded three second place conference finishes and has advanced to at least the SAC Tournament semifinals each season.

The Pioneers put together a magical postseason run a year ago as No. 4-seed Tusculum opened Southeast Regional play with a 3-2 win over Lincoln Memorial, followed by a 3-1 upset of top-seed and host Armstrong to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.

Leading the charge for the Pioneers is two-time All-American libero Caitlyn Dean. The four-time consensus All-Region and All-SAC honoree has accounted for one of the greatest defensive careers in NCAA history. Dean's 3,164 career digs are already a NCAA II record and ninth-most for all NCAA divisions. Dean's 6.06 digs per set average in 2013 is currently the seventh-best in the country.

Voelker, a 2013 All-SAC second team choice, leads the Pioneers in blocking averaging 0.74 per set (8th in SAC), while her team-leading .290 hitting percentage is 10th in the league. Voelker is also 21st in the SAC in points per set (2.8 pps) and 24th in kills per set (2.23 kps).

Sarmiento, the program's second-leading assist generator (3,831) has been splitting time at the setter position this season. Sarmiento is still posting 3.98 assists per set (16th in SAC), while averaging 1.85 digs per set and serving up 16 service aces.

Three underclassmen lead the Pioneers in kills and hitting percentage. Rachel Garnett, the 2013 SAC Freshman of the Year, leads the team averaging 2.49 kills per set (18th in SAC) and is second in hitting percentage (.247 - 17th in SAC). Sophomore Danae Stauffer is second on the squad averaging 2.47 kills per set, while also averaging 1.71 digs per set to go along with 16 service aces and 24 blocks. She is also second on the team with her 312 points. All-SAC honorable mention outside hitter Megan Hasse leads Tusculum in scoring with her 350.5 points (3.1 pps - 14th in SAC). Hasse leads the SAC in service aces per set (0.50 - 21st in NCAA II) for a second straight year. She is also averaging 2.45 kills per set (20th in SAC) and 2.49 digs per set (22nd in SAC).

Junior college transfer Victoria Ashley is posting 1.49 kills per set, while sophomore setter Hannah Berling leads the team with her 7.12 assists per set average (10th in SAC). Freshman middle blocker Jaida Allen is second on the team averaging 0.71 blocks per set (12th in SAC), including a team-best 15 solo blocks.

TC has also received solid contributions from rookies Moriah Jones (1.91 dps), Andrea Amettis (1.27 dps, 17 service aces), Courtney McDevitt (0.90 dps, 12 assists, 5 aces), Maelyn Cutshaw (.200, 0.50 dps - now with the Tusculum women's basketball team) and Kaily Weiss.

The winner of Thursday's match between Tusculum and Anderson will face the winner of the opening day's final contest between top-seed Wingate and eighth-seeded Belmont Abbey. The regional semifinals will be held Friday at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. with the regional championship on Saturday at 4 p.m.

The winner of the Southeast Regional will advance to the NCAA II Elite Eight, next week (Dec. 12-14) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.