FORT MYERS, Fla.- After a solid freshman season with the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers, Lexi Hurtado is moving on to the NCAA level, signing with Nebraska's Chadron State to play for the Eagles for the next three seasons. 

 

Hurtado had a good rookie year with the Bucs in 2019, finishing the season second on the team in kills per set at 2.76 and fourth in digs per set with 1.79.  She saw action in 15 matches on the  year, battling through a pair of injuries that cost her time on the court.  She had four matches with 10 or more kills on the year, including posting matching career highs of 14 against #2 Miami Dade and Broward.  In the match against Miami Dade, she also registered a career high 12 digs for her lone double-double of the year. At the net she averaged 0.45 blocks per set, chalking up a career best six in a four set win over #15 Central Florida midway through the year.  

 

Hurtado helped FSW to a 16-8 record during their inaugural season including five wins over top 20 ranked opponents.  FSW qualified for the FCSAA State Tournament as the Suncoast's runner-up, finishing fourth in their maiden voyage. The Bucs schedule ranked 11th nationally in strength of schedule with all eight of their losses coming to teams ranked in the nation's top 15 and seven coming to top six finishers at the NJCAA National Tournament.  

 

Hurtado will join a Chadron squad coming off of their best season in recent memory in 2019.  The Eagles finished 14-12 overall, their most wins since 2003 and went 8-10 in RMAC action which was their most in five seasons. 

 

Hurtado becomes the Bucs' first NCAA signee and second overall, joining 2019 teammate Marina Alonso who signed with Central Methodist University earlier last week.