COLLEGE SPORTS: Florida Tech Panthers Volleyball Unveils 2023 Schedule
By Alex Henderson, Florida Tech News Bureau // July 30, 2023
this will be head coachJordan Willis' first season leading the Panthers
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech volleyball head coach Jordan Willis has announced the 2023 schedule. The schedule features a total of 30 matches with 10 at home, 11 away, and nine at a neutral site.
This will be head coach Willis’s first season leading the Panthers. He is assisted by coach PuaLehua Keola
“I’m blessed beyond measure to be in this position. New school, new team, same preparation.” Coach Willis commented. “I’m excited to share all I have learned from previous teams while gaining experience from great mentors of mine.
“We are going to work on the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the game so we’re ready for what’s to come. It’s going to take a lot of hard work which is a common theme for all the teams I have been a part of. It’s that process that makes it all worthwhile while seeing what we are made of. Now is an exciting time for Panther volleyball. I’m excited and can’t wait to see what we can do this season.”
The Panthers will open the pre-season with a scrimmage at home Saturday, August 19th against neighboring Eastern Florida State College.
Regular season play then begins in Anchorage, Alaska. There, they’ll participate in the Seawolf Invitational hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage. On day one (Sept.1), the Panthers will match up against St. Cloud State University followed by Cal Poly Humboldt. Day two (Sept.2), will see Tech battle the University of Alaska Fairbanks before facing off against hosts, Alaska Anchorage.
The Crimson and Gray then head to the Rollins College Invitational. On day one (Sept.8), The Panthers will face Chadron State and Auburn University Montgomery. On day two (Sept.9) Tech will go up against Bluefield State and Tusculum University.
“Getting to go to Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime trip” added Willis. “The fact that we get to go there for the opening weekend and compete makes it even better. Then being able to compete at the Rollins College Invitational will be a good opportunity for us to see some south regional teams. Following Rollins Invitational, conference play begins for one of the most competitive DII volleyball conferences in the country! What can be better?”
Opening weekend for SSC play will see the Panthers on the road against Embry-Riddle (Sept.15) followed by Tech hosting Rollins (Sept.16) in the Charles and Ruth Clemente Center.
The next weekend, Tech will head to the Gulf Coast of Florida for two days as they’ll go up against Eckerd (Sept.22) followed by Saint Leo (Sept.23).
Tech’s longest home streak will begin by hosting 2022 NCAA Elite Eight finalist Barry (Friday, Sept.29) for the first of four Aloha Fridays, followed by Lynn (Sept.30), defending SSC Champions Tampa (Oct.6), and Florida Southern (Oct.7).
The Panthers start a five-game road trip beginning at Rollins College (Oct. 10) Nova Southeastern (Oct. 13) and then Palm Beach Atlantic (Oct. 14). Tech will then travel to Orlando, Fla. where they will compete in the annual SSC vs GSC South Region Crossover (Oct.20–Oct.21.)
Returning home for three straight matches, Tech host Saint Leo (Oct.27), Eckerd (Oct.28), and Embry-Riddle (Oct.31) for a Halloween-themed contest.
Tech’s longest away stand starts against Lynn (Nov.3), and Barry (Nov.4), followed by Florida Southern (Nov.10) and Tampa (Nov.11).
The Crimson and Gray’s final home series will start with Palm Beach Atlantic (Nov.17) and be closed out against Nova Southeastern (Nov.18) for Senior Night and the final regular season matchup of the year.
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