WINTER HAVEN – Polk State Volleyball will test itself against some of the nation's best in 2023 with 22 scheduled regular season matches.

As was the case last year, Polk State will open the season with four matches in two days on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College for the Battle at the Beach Tournament on Aug. 25 and 26. The Eagles will face three teams that reached the national NJCAA Tournament last season – Trinity Valley Community College (Texas), Monroe College (N.Y.), and Utah State University Eastern – before closing the trip against Palm Beach State College.

"If we want to compete for a national championship, we need to be prepared to face the best," Head Coach Dayanna Barbosa said. "It's really important for us to see where we are and where we need to get better."

Polk State will play just seven home matches this season. The Eagles' home opener and Suncoast Conference opener will come on Sept. 2 against Daytona State College.

After playing its first true road match against Eastern Florida State College on Sept. 6, Polk State will head to Tampa for the HCC Hawks Florida Challenge where it will play three matches in two days, including another matchup with Monroe.

Polk State's final 12 contests will be conference matches. That includes consecutive matches against the reigning national champion and national runner-up, respectively, in Florida SouthWestern and Miami Dade College.

Polk State will travel to face those schools on Sept. 16 and Sept. 20 before hosting them on Oct. 11 and Oct. 14. The Oct. 14 showdown with Miami Dade College will also serve as Sophomore Day for Polk State and the final home match of the regular season.

"We know that our schedule is tough," Barbosa added. "Playing Florida SouthWestern and Miami Dade back-to-back won't be easy. We know we have to be ready, but we're excited."

Polk State will conclude the regular season with a pair of road matches. After traveling to Fort Pierce to take on Indian River State College, the Eagles close the regular season with a return trip to Tampa to take on Hillsborough Community College on Oct. 21.

The top six teams in Suncoast Conference play will advance to the FCSAA Tournament on the campus of Santa Fe College in Gainesville from Nov. 1 through 4. The Eagles finished 11-14 overall in 2022 and in fourth place at last season's FCSAA Tournament. For the full 2023 schedule, click here.