DICKINSON, N.D. - The defending national champion National American University Mavericks are heading back to the NAIA Volleyball National Championship after beating Northwestern (Iowa) in the Region III final on Saturday.

The Mavericks won 3-1.

"Yeah, it was a good tournament and just a great final match," NAU head coach Todd Lowery said. "We got big games out of everybody again.

"Northwestern is a very, very good team. They beat Dickinson 3-0 yesterday and then handled them in the tie-breaker today."

Daniela Oliveira was named the tournament Most Valuable Player.

Northwestern earned a spot in the championship match after winning a three-way tie-breaker in their pool. Dordt defeated Dickinson in a game to 30 to win the first tie-breaker match, and Northwestern then beat Dickinson in a game to 30 to get into the title tilt.

National American is ranked 11th in the country with a 23-10 record.

The national tournament will be Nov. 28-Dec. 1 at Columbia College in Columbia, Mo.

"It's good to get back," Lowery added.

"We are probably playing the best we've been playing all season."