LINCOLN, NE -- After a 7 a.m. departure from Charlotte last Wednesday, the Winthrop volleyball team arrived in Omaha, NE around 11:30 a.m. Central Time to begin its quest towards its first win at the NCAA Tournament level.

To Winthrop head coach Joel McCartney, a Papillion, NE native, it felt like a family reunion as he took the Eagles to join his parents for lunch at their home. Following the meal, McCartney took the team to practice at Bellevue University, where he started as a head coach. While at Bellevue, McCartney guided the Bruins to three MCAC Finals and a 105-51 record from 1996 to 1999.

Thursday morning, after getting a night of rest in Omaha, the Eagles, who lead the nation in wins with 34, took an hour bus ride to Lincoln to practice at the University of Nebraska Coliseum, where they will play against Northern Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

"I grew up a Husker fan and have much respect for their volleyball program. Playing in Nebraska is a wonderful opportunity for the team and for me," said McCartney. "I feel that is going to be a festival atmosphere and an experience the players will carry for the rest of their lives."

Following a morning practice on Friday, the Eagles will take on the Panthers at 5 p.m. (CT). "We need to be able to get comfortable early in the match so we can play loose," said McCartney.

Fans can follow the Winthrop/Northern Iowa match live at http://livestats.ncaasports.collegesports.com/livestats/data/w-volley/516090/gt_index.html. Should Winthrop advance it will face the winner of the match between first seeded Nebraska and American on Saturday at 5 p.m. (CT). If Nebraska reaches the second round, the match will be shown live at http://www.huskers.com/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml on Saturday at 5 p.m. (CT).