FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After nearly a ten-day break from matches, the Nova Southeastern volleyball team is eager to get back on the court as they travel to Orlando, Fla. for the annual South Region Crossover. The tournament will be hosted by Tampa on Friday and Saturday at the Orlando Sports Center.
 
"We are extremely excited for the South Region Crossover this weekend," said head coach Jennifer King. "Despite the craziness of last week, the team actually benefited from the rest and is ready to get after it again. We've got a great schedule ahead of us with West Alabama, Valdosta State and West Florida. Each match is going to be a test, and the team is ready for it!"
 
On Friday, the Sharks (8-7) will face their first Gulf South Conference (GSC) foe in West Alabama at 10:00 a.m. The Tigers will head into the match with a 12-7 overall record and are currently sitting in the No. 5 spot in the GSC standings. NSU will be on the lookout for the Tigers' kill leader Briana Sandifer who is currently averaging a conference-leading 4.06 kills per set. She also ranks ninth in the nation in total kills (288).
 
Later in the afternoon, the Sharks will take on the 8-10 Valdosta State Blazers at 4:45 p.m. VSU enters the tournament ranked seventh in the GSC and is currently on a three-game win streak. Susanna Peonia leads all players offensively with 3.61 kills per set and Sydney Chick controls the defense, picking up 4.38 digs per set.
 
With less than 24 hours to prepare, the Sharks will turn around the next morning at 12:15 pm to face the GSC top-ranked West Florida Argonauts. WFU is also receiving votes in the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 weekly poll and currently hold a 13-5 record, with four of its five losses from Top 25 ranked teams. Offensively, the Argonauts are led by Corisha Smith and Kathryn Torre who are hitting 2.67 and 2.52 kills per set, respectively. UWF's biggest defensive threat is seen in Tori Martella, who currently leads her team and the GSC in digs per set (5.04) and total digs (338).
 
Already halfway through the regular season, Nova Southeastern continues to lead the Sunshine State Conference in multiple categories. At the net, Maddie Uilk proves to be a strong defensive threat, racking up a conference-leading 1.12 blocks per set and 67 total blocks. She is also ranked in the top 50 nationally in both categories. Megan Burns leads the Sharks and the SSC with 338 total digs, with a 5.12 digs per set average, second best in the conference. Denvyr Tyler-Palmer and Jessica Ronyak continue to be the dominant offensive forces, providing on average 3.98 and 3.08 kills per set, respectively.
 
Live stats will be available for all matches by visiting www.NSUSharks.com. Be sure to follow @NSUSharks on Twitter for in-game updates as they happen. For more tournament info, CLICK HERE.