The Pensacola State College Pirates are strutting into the 2025 Fall season with swagger. Back-to-back NJCAA Region 8 champs? Check. A fourth-place national finish in 2023? Double check.
Preseason Hype
These Pirates aren't messing around. They're kicking off with a bang at the Sports Recruits Opening Weekend Tournament in Rockford, Illinois. Facing off against heavyweights like Kirkwood Community College and Johnson County? That's how you test your mettle.
And just like that, they're hosting the Pensacola State Invitational. Teams like Kansas City Community College are coming in hot. It's gonna be a battle.
October Showdowns
October's gonna be wild. The Pensacola Premier tournament is stacking up with ranked squads: Enterprise State, Heartland, and Illinois Central. Don't forget Jones College. It's like a who's who of NJCAA powerhouses.
The Core Returns
Coach Gandolfo isn't starting from scratch. He's got a strong core back. Lauren Schuessler, the sophomore setter, is back after leading with 623 assists last season. Catie Woolf, 272 kills last year, is still a force.
Add in defensive specialist Olivia McDaniel, right-side hitter Sofia Ortiz, and middle hitter Reece Varden. That chemistry? It's real.
Fresh Faces, New Fire
But wait, there's more. Fresh talent is coming in. Kendall Judge as a setter. Taegan Scott adding depth in the middle. Watch out for Hannah Bradley and Addison Danforth on defense.
Conference Showdowns
They hit conference play on the road against St. Petersburg College on September 4. Then it's home sweet home at Hartsell Arena against South Florida State on September 12.
You could feel it coming. Pensacola's ready to make noise. Another NJCAA title? Don't bet against it.
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- UC Irvine's Hosting Game? Next Level.
Source: athletics.pensacolastate.edu
