Check out the team with behind-the-scenes footage

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (November 29, 2012) -- As Head Coach Stephanie Dragan likes to say with excitement the morning of a match ... "It's Game Day Baby!"

Indeed it is. 

The Franklin Pierce University volleyball team opens up play in the NCAA Division II Tournament this evening when the fifth-seeded Ravens take on fourth-seeded NYIT at 7:30  p.m. in Charger Gymnasium in West Haven, Conn.

To follow the match live tonight, check out all the links and information through the official tournament central site.

In addition to the live action, we will be providing behind-the-scenes footage today through this video blog at athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.)

9:08

Well...the 2012 Ravens saw their season come to a tough end with a 3-1 loss to NYIT in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Despite the loss, it has been a tremendous season for the Ravens as they qualified for the national tournament for the first time in program history.

It's been a terrific ride and the 2013 season should be an exciting one. But for now, we leave you with a final look at the 2012 Ravens on the court one final time. Congrats ladies on an outstanding season!

8:50

Ravens get an early point in the fourth set.

8:10

The Ravens get a point off an NYIT error to start a comeback in set two.

8:01

The Ravens dropped the first set, 25-16, but came out in set two determined to get back the momentum.

6:56

Ever wonder how the broadcasters get all the good information to use on a broadcast? Well...the answer is quite simple as they take time to sit down with each head coach during warm-ups to get all the latest news and info as the team preps for its big showdown.

Check out the video below. Color commentator Jacob Van Ryn talks with Coach Dragan as the team is busy preparing on the court. You'll also see assistant coach Amobi Armstrong working with the student-athletes on the court.

6:37 p.m.

We are inside an hour until the volleyball team gets set to make history as it competes in the NCAA Tournament.

The team just watched the pre-game speech from the movie "Miracle" in the locker room and are warming up right now. Check out the team as they took the court and began their warm-ups.

12:15 p.m.

To begin today's vlog (video + blog = vlog), we have some footage from the team's practice last night at Charger Gymnasium. It was a good, fast-paced practice to get the team in the zone for competing this evening. We also caught up with team leaders Natasha Ray and Lauren Miller after practice to get their thoughts on the huge moment in program history -- the first NCAA Tournament appearance for volleyball.