There are eight pools composed of four teams each. Pool play will take place on four fields May 20-22, with the pool winners advancing to an eight-team double-elimination bracket that will be played out May 24-26. The 2010 champions will be crowned on May 26th.

The Columbia Cougars earned an automatic bid after going 6-0 to win the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Tournament last week. Columbia, ranked No. 25 in the final top 25 poll, are 36-17 on the season and garnered the 19th seed in the tournament. 2010 marks the Cougars 15th trip to the National Tournament, second only to eight-time champion Oklahoma City University.

The Cougars were placed in Pool F along with sixth seeded Belhaven (Miss.) University, 11th seeded Dickinson State (N.D.) University and 27 seed Northwood (Texas) University.
Columbia is no stranger to Belhaven as the squads faced off in April with the Blazers coming out on top 8-4. Belhaven finished the season with a No. 6 ranking and a 50-8 record. The Blazers enter their first appearance at the National Tournament with an at-large bid.

Dickinson State also enters the tournament on an at-large bid after falling in the championship game of the Dakota Athletic Conference tournament to Minot State University. The Night Hawks are 33-11 on the season and are making their fourth trip to the tournament.

Northwood appears at nationals for their second consecutive trip after winning the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament at the No. 3 seed. They are 33-21 on the season.

The Cougars open up the tournament against Dickinson on Thursday, May 20th at 11:30 a.m. On Friday, May 21st at 12:30 p.m. Columbia faces Belhaven. They round out pool play on Saturday, May 22nd against Northwood at 10:00 a.m. Live statistics wil be available for all games on www.naia.org.