CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers quest for a fourth consecutive NJCAA National Championship will start from the top rung on the ladder, as for the third straight season, the Bucs open the NJCAA year ranked #1 in the Division I Preseason Poll released on Monday.

The Bucs open the year at #1 after going 26-1 and winning their third straight NJCAA National Championship last season. FSW cruised to their third ring in dominating fashion, dropping just seven total sets in the 87 they played on the year.

FSW brings back a stable of key contributors from last year's Championship squad including a pair of All-Conference performers in Magi Milicevic and Giovanna Rocha on the pins as well as Irina Makinen who shined under the bright lights in Clarksville, averaging nearly 6 assists per set at the National Tournament while posting a double-double in the Bucs semifinal win over Colby. The Bucs also welcome a pair of transfers with accolades in tow to Fort Myers for the 2025 campaign as Sara Gamboa comes in from Trinity Valley where she was a 2^nd Team NJCAA All-American as a freshman and Aleksandra Lucic who was the Northeast 10 Freshman of the Year at American International last season.

The Bucs are flanked in the poll by a familiar face as Citrus Conference rival Miami Dade checks in at #2, Colby starts in their highest spot in program history at #3, and Weatherford and Utah State Eastern, both FSW opponents in the non-conference, find themselves at #4 and #5.

The Bucs begin their 2025 season on Friday at home in the Battle at the Beach when they take on Southern Idaho and #5 Utah State Eastern on opening day. Day two of the tournament will see them square off against Snow and #10 Trinity Valley on Saturday.

2025 NJCAA DIVISION I PRESEASON NATIONAL RANKINGS