Pirates Clinch Sun-Lakes Conference Tournament Berth

Pensacola State (18-8, 11-3 SLC) hosted their final three conference matches over the weekend and secured the no. 2 spot in the 2024 Sun-Lakes Conference Tournament.  

Pensacola State 3 South Florida State 0 (25-10, 25-13, 25-21)

The Pirates came alive this weekend, beginning with their match against the Panthers. The team hit .337 with four of their players hitting well over .300. Leading in kills for PSC was Maddie Goodwin with nine, along with 16 digs. Reece Varden brought in seven kills hitting .583, Catie Woolf also had seven kills hitting .462 and Riley Carter, six kills hitting a strong .750. Cadence Goeden made her mark in the last two sets with four kills hitting a solid .300. Lauren Schuessler tallied 27 assists followed up with eight digs and one block assist. Maddie Mire took care of business in the back row and brought 16 digs. Olivia McDaniel made her way into double digits as well and earned 10 digs along with three service aces. 

Pensacola State 3 Palm Beach State 0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-15)

PSC took care of business against Palm Beach and honored their seven sophomores with the annual Sophomore Day match.

The Pirates brought it at the net again, hitting .301 as a team. Navy and green was led in kills by Woolf with 10 along with her nine digs. Varden and Goodwin matched with nine kills each, Varden hitting .615 and Goodwin with a steady .269. Danielle Lee did damage against the Panthers, bringing in six kills, hitting .333 along with a solo block. Schuessler orchestrated the offense and earned 33 assists to go with 11 digs and one service ace. As expected, Mire showed up with 21 digs, four assists and one service ace.

Pensacola State 3 Indian River State 0 (25-11, 25-20, 25-10)

The determining match of Pensacola's conference ranking included the Indian River Pioneers (7-8 SLC). PSC executed a clean sweep to ensure their no. 2 spot in the Sun-Lakes Conference Tournament.

Pensacola's offense was unstoppable as the team hit a jaw dropping .465. Varden stayed hot with 10 kills hitting .667. Woolf and Goodwin both earned eight kills each hitting over .400. Carter and Lee also matched with six kills each; Carter hitting .545 with four block assists and Lee .417. Schuessler had a solid performance and racked up 27 assists, one kills, four service aces and seven digs. Mire deflected the Pioneers with 20 digs and three assists. 

After wrapping up their regular season on a high note the Pirates are now preparing for the Sun-Lakes Championship Tournament, which will take place at Pensacola State College in Hartsell Arena, November 8-9.