The NCAA Women's Water Polo Committee has adjusted the tournament format in preparation for bracket expansion in 2005.

The committee developed the recommendation during its annual meeting July 20-22 in San Francisco.

The championship will double in size to eight teams next season and the tournament will move from a two-day to a three-day event. The committee also modified game times and established a schedule that will feature four games a day during the championship. The University of Michigan will host the championship May 13-15, 2005.

In addition, the group recommended to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet that automatic qualification be awarded to the Western Water Polo Association, the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Collegiate Water Polo Association and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. The committee evaluated the five eligible automatic-qualification applications to determine the field based on performance and strength of schedule. Four at-large teams will be selected to round out the expanded bracket.

Committee members believe the move, which confers automatic qualification on one more conference than last year, will help the sport grow and increase access to the championship. Only one at-large bid was extended last year.

In other action, the committee appointed Leslie Evans, associate director of athletics at the University of Redlands, as chair. The group also noted a vacancy that must be filled by a representative from the East region.