Salina, Kansas - The NAIA Women's Basketball Tournament 1^st & 2^nd rounds, presented by Ballogy, consists of a 64-team bracket that will begin nation wide on March 15th.

This year's first round consists of 37 automatic qualifiers and 27 at-large selections. The Comets were automatic qualifiers after winning the NSAA Conference Championship over No. 9 Dakota State.

This will be the fifth time that Mayville State has earned their way into the National Tournament, their last time being last year where they beat the University of Science and Arts (Okla.) in the first round but fell to #2 Dordt University in the second.

"It is very exciting to be going back to the National Tournament with this special group of players," said head coach Dennis Hutter. "It is extra special going back to the National Tournament as back to back NSAA Tournament Champs."

The #12 ranked Comets enter the national tournament at 24-3 overall, 11-1 in conference and with an undefeated record at home of 12-0.

The Comets will take on Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) Friday, March 15^th at 12:00pm (CT) in Salina, Kansas. Freed-Hardeman participates in the Mid-South Conference out of Tennessee & Kentucky, where five of their 7 women's basketball teams qualified for the national tournament. 

"I feel like the players are a bit more relaxed this year after experiencing all of this last year, so I am really looking forward to seeing what this team can do on a national stage," added Hutter.

The 2^nd round winner from each site will meet up in Sioux City, Iowa at the 43^rd Annual NAIA National Championship final site at the Tyson Event Center starting on March 21^st.

Hutter, who is in his 19th season as head coach says, "This team has worked so hard the past couple of years to get this program to this level and they deserve everything that comes their way."

Quick Notes:
Who: #12 Mayville State University vs. (RV) Freed-Hardeman University
Where: Salina, Kansas - Hosted by Kansas Wesleyan University
When: Friday, March 15th - 12:00pm (CT) @ the Mabee Arena

Team Match Up:
 

Mayville State	Match Up	Freed-Hardeman
Comets	Mascot	Lions
Mayville, N.D	Town	Henderson, Tenn.
North Star Athletic Association	Conference	Mid-South Conference
12	National Ranking	RV
24-3	Overall Record	19-10
11-1	Conference Record	5-7
1st	Conference Finish	5th
78.6	Points Per Game	62.7
44.7%	FG%	42.5%
35.6%	3PT%	32.7%
80.2%	FT%	62.2%

Players to Watch Mayville State:
#23 Sr. G - Jordan Zrust - NSAA Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, NSAA All-Defensive Team
#5 Sr. G - Mackenzie Hughes - First Team All-Conference
#10 Sr. G - Jes Mertens - NSAA All-Defensive Team, Second Team All-Conference

Players to Watch Freed-Hardemann:
#10 - So. G - Rachel Satterly - First Team All-Conference
#2 Sr. G - KJ White - Defensive Player of the Year

Fan Information:
Watch Live: https://www.kcacnetwork.com/
Pre-order Tickets: https://kcacsports.com/sports/2023/1/6/tickets
Watch Party:  Friday, March 15th 12:00pm, Campus Center Snack Bar - Mayville State University 
Reception in Salina: Thursday, March 14, 6 p.m., Olive Garden, 2820 S 9^th Street Salina, KS

If you have followed this team throughout the season you will know the main thing they are about and that is being a TEAM. Each player that plays for Coach Hutter, regardless of minutes or recognition, has a bigger goal in mind - they care about the logo on the front of the jersey. 

Hutter expressed, "This is such a fun time of the year for basketball, we are excited to be one of the 64 teams still playing at our level. These moments and memories are ones that our players will never forget. We have always tried to focus on the journey and not so much the destination with this team. The journey is what they will never forget - the memories and the relationships." 

To give your financial support to the Comets Women's Basketball Team and keep up to date with national tournament activities click: www.mayvillestate.edu/WBBnationals
 
For full tournament schedule updates visit: https://www.naia.org/sports/wbkb/2023-24/Releases/1st_2nd_Round_Schedule
 
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