FORT MYERS, Fla.- Entering their third season of competition, there are heightened expectations for the Florida SouthWestern State Volleyball program this season.  The Bucs are coming off of a Suncoast Conference Championship and their first trip to the NJCAA National Tournament a season ago and open 2021 ranked #7 in the NJCAA National Polls. 

The Bucs kick off their 2021 campaign on Friday at home in the Battle at the Beach Tournament at Suncoast Credit Union Arena, hosting a bevy of ranked programs alongside them.  All three of FSW's games in the tournament will be against top 20 ranked opponents including Friday's season opener at 10 AM against Monroe College from New York.  The tournament is a unique one in the junior college ranks, pitting Florida's top four teams up against four of the top teams outside of the Sunshine State.  The Battle of the Beach field this year includes #10 Missouri State-West Plains, #15 Salt Lake, #20 Monroe and was originally scheduled to host defending National Champion and #1 ranked Iowa Western before the Reivers had to pull out earlier this week due to Covid-19 protocols.  Florida sends the 7^th ranked Bucs along with #2 Miami Dade, Polk State, Daytona State, and Indian River to battle for the two day classic.

"We put this tournament together hoping to make it the top tournament in the country at our level this season and I believe with our original field of seven ranked teams out of the eight participants, we were able to do that" FSW Head Coach Thais Baziquetto-Allen said.  "We are excited to host the event and show Southwest Florida what top level Juco Volleyball looks like."

FSW was 20-9 last season, going a perfect 8-0 to capture their first Suncoast Conference Championship before finishing as runners-up at the FCSAA State Tournament and claiming the South Atlantic District B Championship to qualify for their first NJCAA National Tournament in just their second season of competition, where they finished 8^th. The Bucs return six players from their 2020 squad including returning NJCAA All-American setter Fiona Baker who finished 8^th in the country a season ago with 10.23 assists per set. Also returning on the outside is Maria Petkova who finished her rookie season red hot, earning All-Tournament honors at the FCSAA State Tournament and recording double digit kills in two of three matches at the NJCAA National Tournament. The Bucs roster is rounded out by a pair of transfers, one from the Division I level and another from the junior college ranks, as well as seven true freshmen.  The Bucs 2021 roster is ripe with diversity as the Purple and Aqua feature players from six different countries and four different continents along with players from five different US states.

Matches start Friday at 10:00 AM in Suncoast Credit Union Arena with FSW and Monroe getting things going on court one and Polk State and Missouri State-West Plains battling on court two.  FSW will also see action at 3:00 Friday as well as a 12:30 date Saturday with Salt Lake. 

For more information on this weekend's Battle at the Beach Tournament including tickets, schedule, scores, stats, and more CLICK HERE.