Fans Pack The Reef in Support of FSCJ Volleyball on Opening Weekend

After two weeks on the road to start their season, FSCJ Volleyball and it's young roster was finally able to show fans the new FSCJ Gameday experience in the renovated gymnasium, now known as "The Reef". And what a debut it was, with the largest attendance at a FSCJ home event in the last three years. Fans flocked to The Reef to see the team's 14 new freshmen compete in person for the first time, while their four returners were excited to sport the new Manta Rays identity on home court for the first time.

"It was a fun weekend in The Reef - we have awesome fans, a newly renovated gym, the new mascot to represent, and so many cool factors that played into a weekend full of volleyball on our new court," said head coach Chelsea Hinck. "Two of the four matches we played were conference and they were competitive. It's a refreshing start with the young program and there were some good moments that unfolded on the floor."

Opening night featured the #10 team in the nation and perennial Region 8 power Gulf Coast, who gave the Manta Rays a look at the level of future battles to come. The Commodores took the match 3-0, but there was plenty of volleyball ahead. USC Lancaster was next up, and the Manta Rays jumped out to a quick start to take the first set 25-18 but they were not able to sustain it and dropped the next three sets. The evening match is where the Manta Rays would make their stand, again jumping out to a 25-19 first set lead against Southern Union. The Bison would not go away without a fight, taking the second set 25-17 to even things at 1-1. FSCJ got back on track in the third 25-20 and managed to hang tough in the fourth 29-27 for a 3-1 victory. The final match once featured a showdown with another nationally-ranked conference opponent in #9 Pensacola. The Manta Rays played their best set of the tournament and things were even at 23-23 before succumbing to the Pirates in three sets.

FSCJ was led by strong performances by their digs leaders Kennedy Walker (46), Lexi Pacheco (42), and Brianna Gutierrez (39). Kennedy Walker also led in kills with 22, closely followed by Malayna Loadholtz (20) and Carly Rivera (17).

"The depth in our roster really allows changes and different variations of what we can do with this team, it's like having something in your back pocket," added Hinck. "I believe with talent we have and the leaders on this team we have an open season ahead of us, where some really fun things could be showcased. It's just the beginning and Manta Ray Volleyball is excited to be on the road for more conference matches this week."

FSCJ Volleyball heads back on the road, this time to Fort Pierce to take on new conference opponent Indian River on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

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