New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - The Women's National Invitation Tournament will increase its postseason tournament field to 64 teams, organizers announced Tuesday.

The WNIT previously had a field of 48 teams.

"We believe that women's college basketball has risen to a very high level and that the depth of quality teams has increased significantly. This has been obvious in the high level of parity that has made the tournament field selection more and more challenging each year," WNIT executive director Brent Amick said. "We are excited that this expansion will allow for the inclusion of more quality teams deserving of postseason play."

The 2010 event will be the 13th year of the Postseason WNIT tournament, which will consist of 31 automatic berths to established conferences and 33 at-large bids.

The expansion of the field sets up 32 first-round games, followed by 16 second-round games, eight third-round games, four quarterfinal games, two semifinal games, and the championship. All games will be hosted by a participating school.

South Florida edged host Kansas, 75-71, in last year's Postseason WNIT championship.