FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Nova Southeastern University Sharks Volleyball team makes its long-awaited return to action on Fri., Sept. 3, as the 13th annual NSU Volleyball Shark Invitational begins from the Rick Case Arena. NSU has anxiously waited to return to competition for the first time since 11/23/2019 and rides a six-game winning streak into the 2021 campaign.
Head Coach Brian Rosen will begin his second year at the helm of the Sharks program, after quickly turning Nova Southeastern into a Sunshine State Conference and NCAA Tournament contender in 2019. Under Rosen, NSU bounced back from a six-win 2018 season with an incredible 20-win year, falling just short of a selection into the NCAA Tournament. Nova Southeastern enters the 2021 season receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason Coaches' Poll for the first time since 2008.
The turnaround has led to increased expectations for the Sharks, as the program seeks to take the next step in becoming a power volleyball program in the Sunshine State Conference and in NCAA Division II, as a whole. "Entering last season, our goal was to finish in the top half of the SSC and prove we can compete with the elite teams in our conference," stated Rosen. "This year, our attention is focused on winning the first Sunshine State Conference Championship in program history. Just missing the tournament last season left a bad taste in our mouths and we're using that disappointment to fuel us this year."
NSU concludes its preseason schedule with a scrimmage against St. Thomas University on 8/31; Rosen and the Sharks are excited for the points and games to start counting. "We are beyond pumped to get back on the court. Finally returning to action is going to be emotional and it's an experience we have been looking forward to for 22-months," said Rosen. "We never take a match for granted, especially now, and it's a blessing to wear our jerseys, compete and just play volleyball again."
Leading the way for the Nova Southeastern offense in 2021 will be setter and team captain Madison Cook. In her freshman year, Cook recorded a team-high of 688 assists, while adding 24 aces. Joining Cook as a key returner for the Sharks is Middle Blocker Brittany Landrum. As a freshman in 2019, Landrum started all 27 matches for the Sharks, and finished the season with a .294 hitting percentage with 210 kills. Landrum also made her way into the NSU record books, currently ranking third all-time in single season block assists (110).
Several Sharks on the roster, such as Nyah Pacely, Abby Arend, Elizabeth Price, Julia Bernardes, and Preslee Brooksbank are returning Sharks who are looking forward to finally competing at NSU. Aleyna Kennel, McKenna Tucek, Emily Sippel, Amanda Hall and Evelyn Kinsch are back for another year, as well. NSU Volleyball also welcomed both transfers and first-year players to the roster from a group which includes Jordan Chessar, Kate Mihacevich, Cambry Pope, and transfers Jovana Bulatovic, Marianna Fiocco, and Alex Psoma.
NSU was tabbed to finish in a tie for third place in the 2021 Sunshine State Conference Coaches' Poll, which was released earlier on Monday afternoon, with No. 5 Tampa selected to take the SSC crown. The Sunshine State Conference routinely is among the most difficult conferences in all of NCAA Division II, and Coach Rosen is looking forward to seeing the Sharks continue developing into one of the top teams in the SSC. "One of my favorite parts of the job is the competitiveness of the SSC," continued Rosen. "Each match is about finding ways to finish close sets and earning hard-fought wins."
The Sharks begin the 2021 campaign with a doubleheader on Fri., Sept. 3, to open the 13th annual NSU Shark Invitational presented by Courtyard Marriott, against Central State University (OH). Nova Southeastern also plays Pittsburg State on Friday evening.
To stay up-to-date with the Sharks throughout the season, follow them on Twitter at @NSU_VB and on Instagram at @NSU_VBall.
