March 4, 2021
CHAMPS!!! FSW Volleyball Claims Program's First Conference Title
Less than two years ago, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers were playing their first game in program history. Thursday night in Suncoast Credit Union Arena, the 6th ranked Bucs celebrated their first championship, defeating State College of Florida 3-0 to claim an outright Suncoast Conference Championship at home in Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
FORT MYERS, Fla.- Less than two years ago, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers were playing their first game in program history. Thursday night in Suncoast Credit Union Arena, the 6th ranked Bucs celebrated their first championship, defeating State College of Florida 3-0 to claim an outright Suncoast Conference Championship at home in Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
Coming off of an emotional and hard fought win on the road at #7 Polk State Tuesday, the Bucs came out a little bit flat in the first set against the Manatees on Thursday. The score was tied at 6 early on until a pair of big serves and aces from Yasso Amin pushed them out in front by two at 8-6. It was 10-8 moments later when an SCF service error got the Bucs rolling on a 6-1 run to open up a 16-9 cushion on the Manatees. Up 23-14 late in the set, back to back kills by Maria Petkova and Kianie Cummings on SCF overpasses finished things off for the Bucs, giving them the set 25-14 and a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second was tight again early on, again with Amin's bullet serve giving the Bucs a 6-4 lead after 10 points. A crosscourt rocket from Julia De Sa midway through the set gave the Bucs a 13-10 advantage and they slowly opened things up before a perfectly placed ace from Amanda Mendes made it 20-14 FSW late in the set. SCF never threatened again as a kill from De Sa gave them set point and a solo stuff in the middle from Amin sealed the set for the Bucs 25-17 to give them a 2-0 lead at the intermission.
There was no such drama in the third. FSW jumped out to a 6-1 lead on kills from Katie Dickey, Kellen Valentim, and De Sa and pushed their lead to 16-8 later on as Fiona Baker swung on a second ball and found the hardwood for a kill to keep the Bucs rolling in the right direction. A pair of blocks from De Sa and Amin made it 20-9 and the Bucs put the Manatees out of their misery on a kill from Cummings to clinch the set 25-11 to finish off the sweep.
FSW hit .342 in the match as a team with De Sa leading the way with 11 kills and Cummings adding 7 on just 10 swings in the match. Viktoriya Ivanova anchored the back line for the Bucs with 12 digs while FSW finished with 10 blocks as a team led by Amin with 7 and De Sa with 3. The Bucs serve gave the Manatees all kinds of problems on the night as FSW finished with 11 aces from seven different players including 4 from Amin's big right hand.
Two days after clinching a share of their first conference crown, the Bucs left no doubt on who's wall the 2020-2021 Suncoast Conference Championship banner would hang, clinching their first title in just their second season of existence.
FSW wins their fifth straight to improve to 14-3 overall on the season while keeping their Suncoast Conference record unblemished at 7-0 with one game to go. State College of Florida falls to 2-17 on the year and 1-6 in league play.
Next up for FSW is Sophomore Day in Suncoast Credit Union Arena on Saturday when they host Palm Beach State in a 2 PM first serve. Prior to the match, the Bucs will recognize their inaugural two year sophomore class for their, now championship, contributions to the program.