RAPID CITY - The National American University women's volleyball team opens defense of its NAIA Volleyball National Championship in Columbia, Mo., today. But they enter the tournament as the No. 5 team and, possibly, a little under the radar.

The Mavericks, winners of the 2002 and 2006 national titles, will play Bellevue, Neb., at 12:30 p.m. MST.

"I think so, for sure," National American head coach Todd Lowery said of not being considered one of the tournament's more dangerous teams. "We've been a little up and down this year, and some people kind of wrote us off as not being as good as maybe we have been or could be. I think there were some people that didn't think we'd be here at all, to be honest with you."

But the Mavericks enter the tournament on a bit of a roll after winning the Region III championship without dropping a game.

"People saw what we can do at the regional tournament, and I think word spread fast about how well we played there," Lowery said. "Hopefully, we can keep that going through this week."

One plus from the regional tournament was the play of Leslie DaSilva, who has been battling back from microfracture knee surgery. DaSilva, the tournament's most valuable player last season, isn't expected to see much playing time during pool play, but Lowery expects to see her later in the tournament.

"We'd rather not have to use her in pool play," Lowery said. "She's got some swelling in the knee, and we want to see if she can get over that first."

The Mavericks may miss DaSilva, but it's not like they don't have other firepower. National American comes into the tournament with the Region III player of the year in Daniela Oliveira and two other all-conference selections in Thamy Viana and Thais Batistella. Oliveira is ranked fourth in the nation in kills coming into the tournament.

The Mavericks knocked off Bellevue in a tournament at Hastings, Neb., earlier this season, so they have a good idea of what to expect.

"They probably don't have as dynamic of players as we do," Lowery said. "But they have good ball control and really play well together as a team."

The 28th annual NAIA Volleyball National Championship will be at the Arena of Southwell Complex on the campus of Columbia College today through Dec. 1. The tournament is in Columbia for the second straight season.

National American captured the 2006 championship and will aim for consecutive titles. The Mavericks defeated this year's favorite, Fresno Pacific, Calif., 31-33, 30-25, 33-31 and 30-22 in the championship match.

Lowery calls the top four seeds, Fresno Pacific, California Baptist, Concordia, Calif., and Biola, Calif., the teams to beat in the tournament.

"Those four California teams are definitely the favorites in my eyes," Lowery said. "Somebody is going to have to play some very good volleyball to knock any of them off."

Pool play will take up the first two days of the tournament with bracket play following on Friday and Saturday. The semifinals will be played at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. MST, and the championship match will be played Saturday at 6:30 p.m.