CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The stage is set for the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers and the Miami Dade Sharks once again as with the release of the NJCAA week eight National Rankings the Sharks and Bucs again sit #1 and #2 ahead of their showdown Wednesday in Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.
FSW had a busy week last week, going 3-0 in three road matches. The Bucs opened the week with a 3-0 sweep on the road at #13 Eastern Florida and followed that up with another sweep of Santa Fe on Wednesday in Gainesville. They wrapped up the road trip with another jaunt up North as they got by #16 Daytona State 3-0 to move to 17-1 on the year. With the wins over #13 Eastern and #16 Daytona, FSW has now defeated 12 ranked opponents in their 17 victories this season.
The top four in the rankings remained the same for the fifth straight week with Miami Dade on top, FSW 2nd, New Mexico Military 3rd, and Northeastern 4th. There was some shuffling from there though as Utah State Eastern moved into the Top 5 for the first time this season while Colby moved in front of Barton at #7 and #8. The other FCSAA teams in the poll continue to play leap frog as Daytona State moved up to #15 after their 3-0 win over Eastern Florida who dropped to #16.
Another chapter in the FSW/Miami Dade rivalry will be written on Wednesday in Fort Myers as the Bucs and Sharks hook up as #1 and #2 for the second time this season. FSW and Miami Dade will get after it in Suncoast Credit Union Arena beginning at 6:00 PM in a crucial Citrus Conference contest.