Benedictine Heads to the National Tournament

(ATCHISON, Ks.) The Benedictine women's basketball team got off to a program best 11-1 start through conference play this year.

That earned them their first NAIA Top 25 appearance since moving to Division I. Now the Ravens (27-5) are off to another milestone.

That would be their first NAIA National Tournament game.

"This being the first time in school history that we've gone to the D-I national tournament, we're really excited to be going in as a three-seed," senior Erin Murphy said.

"Yesterday at practice we were talking about it and it was our last practice in Ralph Nolan Gymnasium, and it just kind of hit," sophomore and St. Joseph native Jackie Ziesel said.

The team packed up for Atchison Monday morning and hit the road for Frankfort, Ky. where the 3rd-seeded Ravens will face Bethel on Thursday.

While they're excited for their first trip to nationals, they aren't awed by it because they know they belong.

"Knowing that we're supposed to be there, we've been ranked in the top 25 all season, we deserve it. It's not just by chance that we are going. 

"We're starting to get a little more national recognition," head coach Chad Folsom said. "Hopefully we can live up to that billing when we get there."

The Ravens first game of the NAIA Division I National Tournament is March 14th at 8:45 pm. With a win over Bethel, they would play once again on the 15th at 9:45pm