CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The defending National Champion Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers will open the 2023 season ranked #1 in the country as the NJCAA released it's preseason poll with the Bucs on top Monday afternoon.
FSW went 27-1 a season ago, capturing Suncoast Conference, FCSAA, and NJCAA National Championships in just their fourth season of competition. The Bucs road to the title was anything but easy, as along with a devastating hurricane in the Fort Myers area in the middle of the season, FSW also battled 18 Top 20 ranked teams in their 28 matches on the season. The Bucs were 17-1 in those matches including six straight wins over ranked opponents in the postseason to claim the National Championship.
The Bucs return six key pieces to the fold this season including 2022 NJCAA All-American Roberta Purashaj who along with fellow returner Alondra Alarcon were key cogs in the Bucs title run and both were named to the National Tournament All-Tournament Team as freshmen a season ago.
The preseason poll featured a number of familiar names as the Bucs lead the pack with Miami Dade, Missouri State-West Plains, Indian Hills, and Salt Lake rounding out the top five. As it stands, FSW is scheduled to play 10 matches against Preseason Top 20 ranked opponents this season including two each against #2 Miami Dade, #14 Monroe, and #18 Eastern Florida as well as tilts against #5 Salt Lake, #7 Trinity Valley, #9 Utah State-Eastern, and #16 Snow.
The Bucs will open their 2023 season on the road in Salt Lake as they take on #16 Snow, Southern Idaho, Central Wyoming, and #5 Salt Lake in the UFirst Intermountain Invite.