The No. 15-ranked Sea Lions lost their final match of the regular season 3-1 in four tight sets versus No. 10 Biola (25-15, 21-25, 30-28, 25-22) Saturday night. PLNU learned later in the evening that the team gained an at-large berth to the NAIA National Championship Tournament, however, and will more than likely host an Opening Round Match next Saturday. Complete List>>

PLNU gets into the tournament for the second straight year despite a seventh place finish in the powerhouse Golden State Athletic Conference. The Sea Lions were ranked as high as No. 7 for two weeks in the nation in September and end the regular season at 19-11 overall and 9-11 in conference.

The Eagles finished their regular season play 22-9 overall and 13-7 in GSAC.

Biola controlled the net defensively with 11 blocks to the Sea Lions five, holding PLNU to a .145 attack percentage. The Sea Lions totaled more kills, however, with 54 to the Eagles' 50.

PLNU had a slow start, as BU garnered seven points before a kill from Tabitha Henken gave the Sea Lions their first point of the match. Point Loma trailed throughout the 25-15 set.

The Sea Lions changed the pace in the second, keeping up with the Eagles before pulling ahead from a 13-13 tie with six consecutive points. Lone junior Alyssa Pitkin gave the Sea Lions their 25th point in the set to tie the match up at one-apiece.

PLNU led for most of the third set, but six straight turned it around to give the Eagles a 19-18 advantage. Biola continued slightly ahead of the Sea Lions, bringing it to set point at 24-23. But PLNU wasn't done yet. The team forced BU to play five extra points to get the 2-1 lead in the match.

The Sea Lions led early in the fourth as well, before the Eagles tied it up 14-14. The deadlock lasted until 20-20, when Biola pulled ahead. Tavea Hampton hit her eighth winner to put the match away for the Eagles.

Maddie Dahms led the Sea Lions' offense with 19 kills, followed by GSAC kills leader Tabitha Henken with 15. Natalie Hamill and Kylie Morel split the setting duties with 24 and 20 assists, respectively. Libero Nicole Eiler was solid on defense with 21 kills, while Morel had 17, and Hamill and Henken each had 10.

Kelsey Christoferson led the Eagles' charge with 13 kills. Kim Russell followed with 11.

The Opening Round Schedule are to be announced Sunday. Thats when the Sea Lions will find out where, who and when they play.