FORT MYERS, Fla.- One year ago, Marina Alonso took a chance on the newly founded Florida SouthWestern State Volleyball program. Looking to transfer after her freshman year at Laredo, Alonso was searching for a new home and chose to sign with the Bucs, despite FSW having yet to play their first game in program history.  After a successful sophomore season with the Bucs, that choice paid off for her on Friday as Alonso became FSW's first four-year signee, inking with NAIA top 10 squad Central Methodist University.  

 

Alonso was a Second Team All-Conference pick for the Bucs in their inaugural season, playing in all 24 matches and all 86 sets for the Purple and Aqua.  She averaged 8.00 assists per set, setting the program benchmark with 712 on the season.  Alonso topped 20 assists in 21 different matches this season including 19 straight to close out the year.  She went over 30 helpers nine times and dished out 40 or more assists four times including career highs 44 against Palm Beach State and Florida State College-Jacksonville. She posted a pair of double-doubles on the year with 34 assists and 10 digs in a five set win over Broward and 30 assists and 10 digs in a thrilling win over #14 Central Florida in the FCSAA State Tournament.  

 

Alonso was one of just two sophomores for the Buccaneers who finished their inaugural voyage 16-8 overall and ranked in the top 20 of the year end Massey Ratings.  Seated in the NJCAA's top region, FSW played one of the toughest schedules in the country in their first season, dueling against 12 ranked teams in their 24 matches, earning five victories.  They finished 4-2 in Suncoast Conference play to earn their first trip to the FCSAA State Tournament where they finished fourth. 

 

Alonso will join an Eagles squad coming off of their best season in school history in which they finished 33-4, winning a conference championship and making a run into the Sweet 16 at the NAIA National Tournament.  You don't have to look too far into the degrees of separation to find connections between the Bucs and the Eagles programs as current Central Methodist Assistant Garrett Case was an Assistant Coach for FSW Head Coach Thais Baziquetto-Allen prior to FSW at Seward County, while three of Baziquetto-Allen's former players starred for the Eagles a season ago during their historic campaign.  

 

One other Buc is expected to sign later this week, stay tuned to FSWBucs.com or @FSWBucs on social media as soon as it happens.