Pirates Finish First Half of Sun-Lakes Play

Pensacola State 3, Florida State College at Jacksonville 0

(25-17, 25-15, 25-22)

Volleyball hosted the FSCJ Manta Rays on Thursday in their annual "Pack the Pirates Care" Pantry match. The Pirates brought their A-game as an entire team, and turned the match into a statistical showcase. Lauren Schuessler ran the offense efficiently for PSC and earned 45 assists and eight digs. The back row's ability to pass allowed Schuessler to orchestrate the attacks. Olivia McDaniel led in receptions with 17, followed by both outside hitters Catie Woolf and Maddie Goodwin each receiving 14 serves. At the net, Woolf earned 12 kills alongside her 10 digs; Laila Greene and Reece Varden matched each other offensively with 10 kills each; Goodwin tallied nine kills of her own to help her team to victory.  

Pensacola State 3, Lake-Sumter State 0

(25-18, 25-14, 25-18)

The Pirates took the court again Friday evening to face the LakeHawks. Pensacola grabbed ahold of the match and never let go, sweeping the Hawks in three clean sets. Hitting .545 with 13 kills, Laila Greene carried the torch in PSC's front row. Catie Woolf executed another well-rounded performance with 10 kills and 12 digs. Maddie Goodwin put away eight kills, and followed with nine digs to combat the Hawks' offense. Libero Addison Danforth kept the Pirates in long rallies with 10 digs and four assists. Lauren Schuessler ran the floor and secured 31 assists, 17 digs, two kills and three aces. 

Pensacola State 2, St. Johns River 3

(25-19, 25-22, 26-28, 28-30, 10-15)

After their first two wins of the weekend, the Pirates entered the gym on Saturday anticipating a tough battle against the St. Johns River Vikings. PSC started the match off strong, fighting off the Vikings' tenacity at the net. Both teams gave their all for every single point, but the Pirates pushed their way through the first two sets. Tides changed in set three, when the Vikings built overflowing momentum. The scale tipped in favor of the opponent, when they secured the nail-biting fourth set brawl, 30-28. Pensacola found themselves in the fifth set, struggling to make headway, while the Vikings remained hot. Unable to close the gap, the Pirates ended the match overcome by St. Johns. Despite the results, statistical standouts for Pensacola were Laila Greene with 14 kills, Reece Varden - 13 kills, Catie Woolf - 11 kills and 18 digs, Maddie Goodwin - eight kills and 15 digs. Addison Danforth tallied 24 digs and two aces. Lauren Schuessler earned five kills, 49 assists and nine digs.  

Pensacola State Volleyball finished their first half of Sun-Lakes Conference play 8-2, and look ahead to starting the last half this weekend at home. PSC will host St. Petersburg, State College of Florida and Pasco-Hernando this Friday-Sunday. Come out to the Hartsell Arena for Family Weekend, Sophomore Day and the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Match with the Pirates!

Photo Courtesy: Greg Shoemaker