#13 Pensacola State (31-3) would defeat Gulf Coast State 3-0 in the finals to qualify for an automatic spot in the NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
SCF vs Lake Sumter State:
The first set saw the Manatees getting off to a little rocky start, but after a few modifications, the Manatees were able to take the first set after a Lake Hawk attack error. The second set continue would be have 12 ties and six lead changes, but a final kill from freshman Aleksandra Wrobel would seal the second set for the Manatees.
Heading into the third set, the Lake Hawks would once again scare the Manatees down the stretch after tying the set at 24 apiece before possibly taking the set, but a Lake Hawk net violation would keep the set going to another tie at 26 apiece after a kill by sophomore Isabella Rebimbas before a double block by Wrobel and freshman Teresa Briefender and kill by Wrobel sealed the deal for a Manatee win.
Sophomore Katie Keefe would be the offensive leader of the match as she finished with 13 kills, one assist, two aces, four digs and a block. Rebimbas would follow with nine kills and one dig, while sophomore Bailee Perry rounded out the order with seven kills, one ace, one assist and eight digs.
In setting, freshman Morgan McGuire would finish one dig shy of a double-double as she finished with 32 assists, one kill, one ace and nine digs.
Defensively, Wrobel would lead the back row defense with a career-high 17 digs to go along with six kills, two assists, one ace and two blocks, while Briefender lead the front row defense with three blocks to go along with four kills, one assist and one dig.
Sophomores Kloe Pinto (four digs and one assist), Rachel Carroll (three digs and one assist), Caelan Cook (three kills, two digs and one block) and Emily Lyons (six digs) also contributed in the match.
For the Lake Hawks, sophomore Kaylee Hunt lead the way offensively with 18 kills, two aces, nine digs and two blocks, while classmate Jayden Ponsford lead the defense with 18 digs and one assist. In setting, freshman Emily Warner finished with 25 assists, three kills and five digs.
After SCF's win, #13 Pensacola State shutout St. John's River State (24-13) 3-0 to advance to the semifinals.
SCF vs #12 Gulf Coast State:
The first two sets were nail biters as the Manatees cut the Commodores lead and even took the lead in the second set, but the Commodores would pull it together and seal it before finalizing the third set, despite the Manatees attempting a brief comeback.
Wrobel would lead the way offensively with 10 kills, one ace, six digs and two block. Keefe would follow with six kills, two assists, one ace, seven digs and five blocks, while Perry rounded out the order with five kills, one ace, 10 digs and three blocks.
McGuire would lead the way in setting with 20 assists, four digs and one block, while freshman Elise Bakken would add seven assists and two digs.
Defensively, aside from Keefe's blocks and Perry's digs, Carroll would also lead the back row with 10 digs while sophomore Shelby Pillow added two blocks and three kills.
Rebimbas (three kills), Briefender (two kills), Cook (two kills, one ace and three digs) and Lyons (two digs) also contributed in the final match.
After SCF's loss, Pasco Hernando (14-10), who were the #1 seed that received a first round bye, would fall to Pensacola State by a score of 3-0.
Notes:
Following the end of the tournament, Wrobel and Keefe were named as members to the FCSAA DII All-Tournament Team.
Up Next:
The Manatees will look to focus on beach volleyball season for 2024 spring semester.
We thank all of our sophomores, coaches and support staff for their contributions to this season and we also wish Pensacola State the best of luck in route to Iowa for nationals.
