PirateQ 
Photo credits: Dan Farley (Pensacola, FL)
The Pensacola State College volleyball season came to a close on Friday, Nov. 22 as the Pirates fell to No. 2-seeded Parkland College from Champaign, Illinois 1-3 in a quarterfinal match.
After losing their first match on Wednesday, Nov. 20 against No. 8-seeded Illinois Central College (23-25, 25-27, 17-25) PSC moved into the consolation bracket to fight for the title of third.
Pensacola went on to play No. 18-seeded Mott College for their first consolation match on Nov. 21, winning against the Bears in four sets (25-20, 22-25, 25-12, 29-27).
The Pirates advanced to play Friday afternoon against the Parkland Cobras. PSC started the match off hot and gained a lead 23-19, until the Cobras tied it up 26-26. Pensacola won an official challenge call, which gained the team momentum and pushed them to take the first set 29-27. After the gutsy battle early on, the Pirates struggled to maintain energy and momentum and fell behind. The Cobras secured the match in the last three sets (25-23, 25-17, 25-15).
Pensacola State Volleyball walked away from the National Championship tournament after standout performances from several players. Sophomore, middle blocker Riley Carter was named NJCAA DII Volleyball All-Tournament for her execution of 34 kills, six and-a-half blocks, one service ace and 14 digs. Second to Carter for kills was freshman right side hitter, Danielle Lee. In Lee’s first time at the NJCAA tournament, she scored 30 kills for her team, along with four blocks. Freshman, outside hitter Catie Woolf played the entire game, earning 24 kills, one ace, 23 digs and two and-a-half blocks for her team. Lauren Schuessler closed out her first season as a Pirate with two more double-doubles that contributed to her earning 126 assists, 34 digs, four service aces, four kills and five and a half blocks. Sophomore, libero Maddie Mire left her mark in her last week as a Pirate by notching 66 digs, eight assists and five service aces.
Pensacola State finished the 2024 season with a record of 21-10 overall. The season included a second-consecutive Sun-Lakes Conference and South Atlantic District Championship Title.