Pirates Finish 4th in National Tournament

The Pirates entered the 2023 NJCAA Division II National Championship as the no. 12 seed and climbed their way to the Final Four of the tournament. This allowed them to become the first FCSAA school to advance to the semifinals at the NJCAA tournament.  

After losing to top-seeded Cowley College in the semifinal match on Friday, 14-25, 15-25, 30-32, the Pirates continued on to the final day of the tournament to battle for third place. 

Pensacola responded in the consolation semifinals with a 3-0 sweep against Iowa Central Community College (25-18, 25-17, 25-23). Their victory over the Tritons for the second time in the tournament allowed the Pirates to advance to the consolation finals match for third place that afternoon. Again, their foe was a familiar face, the Cavaliers of Johnson County. 

The Pirates defeated the Cavaliers in three sets in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, but unfortunately were unable to execute another triumph. Pensacola State ended their season with a 3-0 loss, placing them 4th in the national tournament. 

At the end of the tournament, the Pirates were awarded the 2023 NJCAA Sportsmanship Award. Libero Maddie Mire was also named to the NJCAA DII Volleyball All-Tournament Team.  

The Pirates finished their season with an impressive overall record of 34-5 and a 12-1 Conference record, including the program's first ever South-Atlantic District Championship.