Pirate Volleyball Breaks Many Barriers

The Pirates closed out their outstanding 2023 season, breaking many barriers and reaching several "firsts" for the program's history. 

The NJCAA National Ranking recognition was a steady climb throughout the season, as the Pirates achieved the highest ranking during regular season on the NJCAA Coaches Poll as no. 6 in the country. The climb motivated the team to win its first South Atlantic District championship ever, earning a trip to their first NJCAA National tournament appearance as well.

They were seeded as #12 and beat #5 Iowa Central Community College in the opening round. Next they took down #4 Johnson County Community College. Having to face the #1 team in the country, Cowley Community College, the Pirates had their first loss in the tournament, moving them into the Consolation bracket.

Pensacola State fought their way back to the semi-finals and finished their first ever NJCAA National Tournament as the no. 4 team in the country. Maddie Mire was recognized as part of the NJCAA National Tournament All-Tournament team.

The Pirate squad embraced every challenge along the way throughout the season. Their final record was 34-5 and they were led by sophomore, setter Kiara Vega, currently standing as one of the most decorated players in Pirate volleyball history. Vega has recently been recognized as NJCAA 1st Team All-American to go along with NJCAA Division II Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week and AVCA/GameChanger Women's Two-Year College Player of the Week. She also was named Region 8 DII Volleyball Setter of the Week eight times during the season. 

To round out her awards, Vega earned the FCSAA Division II Player of the Year (Dulcie "Cookie" Stevens Award) and head coach Patricia Gandolfo was named the FCSAA DII Region 8 Coach of the Year (Kim Whitney Award). Sophomore, outside hitter Anyaliz Rodriguez was named NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American. Rodriguez was the Most Valuable Player for the Sun-Lakes Conference tournament and was the Region 8 DII Volleyball Player of the Week three times in the season.

After a record breaking season, the Pirates are getting ready to prepare for the Spring season and are looking forward to see where the graduating sophomores will move on to finish their collegiate careers.

Pensacola State will be the host site for the 2024 South Atlantic District tournament that will be held on November 8th & 9th in the fall of 2024.