The Kirkwood women's volleyball team will face Illinois Central in the  opening round of the NJCAA Division II national tournament on  Thursday, Nov. 21 at 12 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center in  Charleston, W.Va.

Kirkwood (26-14) is the No. 9 seed in the 16-team tournament and  Illinois Central (33-10) is the No. 8 seed.

Illinois Central trimmed the Eagles, 3-2, in their only meeting this  season Sept. 20 at Illinois Central.

If Kirkwood defeats Illinois Central, the Eagles would face Parkland  or Mercyhurst North East in the quarterfinals next Thursday at 6:30  p.m. If Kirkwood loses to Illinois Central, the Eagles would meet the  Parkland-Mercyhurst loser on Friday, Nov. 22 at 11 a.m.

Kirkwood finished fourth at the national tournament last year.

NJCAA DIVISION II TOURNAMENT
Charleston, W.Va.

Opening Round
Thursday, Nov. 21

8 a.m. - No. 3 Scottsdale vs No. 14 Oakland
8 a.m. - No. 6 Gulf Coast State vs No. 11 McHenry County
10 a.m. - No. 2 Coffeyville vs No. 15 Montgomery
10 a.m. - No. 7 Northeast vs No. 10 Grand Rapids
Noon - No. 1 Parkland vs No. 16 Mercyhurst North East
Noon - No. 8 Illinois Central vs No. 9 Kirkwood
2 p.m. - No. 4 Fort Scott vs No. 13 Waubonsee
2 p.m. - No. 5 Catawba Valley vs No. 12 Bismarck State