Fresh off an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament, Polk State Volleyball's 2022 schedule will feature 22 total matches, including 11 against teams nationally ranked in the preseason NJCAA Poll.
Ranked 15th nationally and fourth in the FCSAA Coaches Poll, Polk State will begin the season in Fort Myers for the Battle at the Beach Invitational. The Eagles will play four matches in two days on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State, beginning Aug. 26 against No. 1 Iowa Western Community College.
Polk State will then take on No. 12 Jefferson College (MO) in the nightcap. The second day of the invitational includes matches against Trinity Valley Community College (TX) and No. 9 Central Wyoming College.
After spending two days on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State, Polk State will host the fourth-ranked Buccaneers in the home opener Sept. 6. Polk State upset then No. 1 Florida SouthWestern State last year in the FCSAA Tournament to spur a run to the NJCAA Tournament. The Eagles will make the return trip to Fort Myers on Oct. 1.
Following the home opener, which also serves as the Suncoast Conference opener, the Eagles will fly out to Nevada for three matches in four days, including two more against ranked opponents. After taking on No. 14 Utah State University Eastern to open the College of Southern Nevada Coyote Classic on Sept. 8, the Eagles will play matches against Glendale Community College (AZ) and Arizona Western College the following day. The trip concludes on Sept. 10 against 17th-ranked Seward County Community College (KS).
Polk State won't leave the state again. It returns home to take on No. 16 Hillsborough Community College on Sept. 13. The teams will meet again in Tampa on Oct. 6.
In addition to Sunshine State counterparts Polk State, Florida SouthWestern State, and Hillsborough, Miami Dade College is also nationally ranked at No. 6 while Daytona State received votes in the preseason poll. Polk State will host Miami Dade on Sept. 24 before making the trip south to play the Sharks on Oct. 20 – the Eagles' last road game of the regular season. Polk State will play at Daytona State on Sept. 22 before hosting the Falcons on Oct. 15.
The Eagles will celebrate Sophomore Day and wrap up the regular season at home against Indian River State College on Oct. 22. To view Polk State Volleyball's complete 2022 schedule, click here.
"This challenging schedule will test our players physically and mentally throughout the season," said German Del Valle, Polk State's 12th-year head coach. "I'm confident that we have the talent and resolve to compete for an FCSAA championship and get back to the national tournament. We want to prove that we can play with anyone in the country."
