NCAA gives Iowa a site for 2013 women's tournament

IOWA CITY -- If the Iowa Hawkeyes qualify for the 2013 NCAA women's basketball tournament, they won't be going to Stanford or Spokane.

They'll be staying home.

The NCAA released Monday that Carver-Hawkeye Arena will be one of 16 first- and second-round sites for the 2013 tournament.

It will be Iowa's 13th time as an NCAA host. Iowa hosted its first NCAA action in 1986, and most recently in 2009.

“We are very pleased,” UI athletics director Gary Barta said.  “We have an outstanding venue in Carver-Hawkeye Arena that has a rich tradition in hosting NCAA championship competition.  I am confident that our fans will once again show great support for NCAA women's basketball next March.”

The last two NCAA trips have been long trips. Iowa was sent to Stanford, Calif., in 2010, then to Spokane, Wash., last year.

Ames is a first- and second-round site this year, and Des Moines will host a regional.