CLEVELAND, Ohio – After capturing the 2024 Horizon League Tournament title last weekend, the Cleveland State volleyball team learned who it will play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday evening, as the Vikings are set to travel to Lexington, Ky. and face third-seeded Kentucky in a first round contest on Thursday, December 5.

This will be the 10th meeting between Cleveland State and Kentucky in program history, with the Wildcats owning an 8-1 edge in the all-time series.

This will be Cleveland State's sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament and the first since the 2017 campaign. All six of Cleveland State's NCAA Championship appearances (2007, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2024) have come under current head coach Chuck Voss.

The Vikings enter the first round of the NCAA Championship with a 23-9 overall record, and are the winners of four straight and six of their last seven matches. The 2024 Horizon League Tournament title marked the sixth for the Vikings – the second highest championship total in league history.

Kentucky, ranked No. 12 in the country, enters the NCAA Tournament with a 20-7 overall record, including a 14-2 mark in the SEC to finish at the top of the standings.

The other first round contest in Lexington will feature (6) Minnesota against Western Kentucky, with the winners advancing to Friday's second round contest.