The NJCAA women’s volleyball national tournament bracket was revealed on Wednesday with USU Eastern announced as the No. 8 seed after clinching an automatic bid on Monday night.

As luck would have it, USU Eastern’s first round match with No. 9 Weatherford College will feature another familiar local athlete in former Emery High School standout Abby Morris.

Morris, the 2023 Utah High School 3A Player of the Year, left Emery High School as one of the most decorated players in the program’s history. As a junior she earned a 3A All-State selection, helping the Lady Spartans advance to the semifinals as the No. 12 seed. Morris elevated her game to a higher level in 2023, helping Emery earn the No. 1 seed and the program’s first state championship since 1996.

As a freshman, Morris has played in 35 of her squad’s 36 games. She ranks second on the team in kills with 328 and second in average for points per set.

Weatherford finished the regular season with a record of 29-7 and a perfect 14-0 mark in conference play. They will enter the national tournament riding a two-game losing streak after falling to New Mexico Military Institute and Odessa College Nov. 9. Both games went the five-set distance.

USU Eastern will enter the national tournament winners of their last four outings, including victories in the conference and district championship. The Eagles hold an overall record of 23-6.

The two teams will meet Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 3:00 pm. The games will be streamed live on the NJCAA Network.