(April 8, 2002)                                                                                                 Hot News Main Page 

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USPV Playoff Pairings Finalized
USPV First Round Playoff Pairings Set

OAKBROOK TERRACE IL (April 8, 2002) The first round pairings for the 2002 United States Professional Volleyball (USPV) Playoffs have been finalized.

The Minnesota Chill, which clinched the regular season title and home court advantage throughout the playoffs with a win on Sunday, will open against the
Grand Rapids Force (No. 4 seed) on Thursday, April 18 at the Mayo Civic Center Auditorium in Rochester, Minn.

In the other first-round pairing, the Chicago Thunder will square off against
the St. Louis Quest. Both first round series are best-of-3.

While the Minnesota-Grand Rapids schedule is set, home court advantage in the Chicago-St. Louis series is still in question.

If Chicago defeats St. Louis 3-0 or 3-1 on Friday in Chicago at Saint Xavier University, Chicago will be the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and have home court advantage in the series. Chicago is 4-0 against St. Louis this season. Besides Friday's matchup, the two teams will meet Tuesday, April 16 in St. Louis. Regardless of seeding, the Chicago-St. Louis series will begin on Friday, April 19.

2002 USPV Playoffs

Series A (best-of-3)
Grand Rapids (4) vs. Minnesota (1)
Thursday, April 18: Grand Rapids at Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 21: Minnesota at Grand Rapids, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24: Grand Rapids at Minnesota, 7 p.m. (if necessary)

Series B (best-of-3)
St. Louis vs. Chicago
Friday, April 19: at higher seed, 7 p.m.
Date TBA: at lower seed, TBA
Wednesday, April 24: at higher seed, 7 p.m. (if necessary)
Series A and B winners advance to 2002 USPV Championship (best-of-5) beginning April 28 at the highest remaining seed.

[Source: Mike Miazga, Director Media Relations, USPV, (630) 575-8827 (office)]

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