Aniol named AVCA All-American

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) released the 2024 All-American teams on Wednesday afternoon. Olivia Aniol, a junior middle blocker for the Nova Southeastern Sharks, earned Honorable Mention All-American honors.  

Aniol becomes the third All-American coached by Head Coach Kacie Ehinger, joining Taylor Stockman (2022 & 2023) and Nadia Lindner (2023) and the 11th player to earn the recognition since Nova Southeastern transitioned to NCAA Division II.  

Aniol earned first-team All-Sunshine State Conference honors, as well as first-team AVCA All-South Region and second-team D2 CCA All-South Region recognition. Aniol enjoyed a breakout campaign during her junior year, setting the single season program record with 130 block assists, while also achieving career-highs in kills (256), kills/set (2.29), hitting percentage (0.324), service aces (24), digs (59), solo blocks (24), total blocks (154), blocks/set (1.38), points (369) and points/set (3.29).  

Aniol led the Sunshine State Conference in block assists, total blocks and blocks/set, finishing the season ranked fourth nationally in block assists, seventh in total blocks and 10th in blocks/set.  

Aniol currently ranks fifth all-time in program history with 338 total blocks in a career and is second with a 1.1 blocks/set average.  

The Nova Southeastern Sharks Volleyball program, under the direction of Head Coach Kacie Ehinger, advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament for the fourth consecutive year and finished the 2024 season with a 20-11 record.  

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Sharks Drop Heartbreaker to Barry in NCAA Tournament

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks Volleyball season ended in heartbreaking fashion, as NSU was defeated in five-sets by the Barry Buccaneers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon from the de Hoernle Sports & Cultural Center. 

Breakdown
Records: Nova Southeastern 20-11 | Barry 24-4
Score: Nova Southeastern 2 | Barry 3
Location: de Hoernle Sports & Cultural Center | Boca Raton, Fla.
Get Social: Instagram – NSU_VBall | X – NSU_VB

How it Happened

  • The third meeting between the Sharks and Buccaneers on the season continued the back-and-forth trend, as the Sunshine State Conference foes traded points back and forth to begin the match. 
  • A service error by Barry sparked a 4-0 run by NSU, capped by kills from Taylor Stockman and Brittany Landrum, giving Nova Southeastern a 9-4 advantage. 
  • Following a kill by Kate Mihacevich, Elizabeth Price tallied two consecutive points for NSU, extending the lead to 12-5, as the Sharks took full control of the opening frame.
  • The Buccaneers rallied for an 8-2 run but the score at 21-20, but their surge was quieted after a service error and a kill from Price.
  • Mihacevich sealed the 25-22 opening set win for NSU with a kill, as the Sharks took the first set over the Buccaneers for the first time on the season.
  • Barry rushed out to an 11-4 lead early in the second set, but Landrum spearheaded a 7-1 rally for NSU, putting the score at 12-11. 
  • Nova Southeastern continued to make a run against the Buccaneers as a kill by Olivia Aniol and a service ace by Taylor Stockman gave the Sharks a 14-13 lead midway through the set. 
  • Trailing Barry 20-18 late in the set, Landrum started a 5-0 run for NSU, which also featured three consecutive service aces from Mihacevich, giving the Sharks a 23-20 lead. 
  • Aniol gave Nova Southeastern a 2-0 lead in the match with a kill, sealing the second set by a score of 25-22. 
  • In the third set, Landrum, Stockman and Mihacevich all recorded kills, tying the frame at 6-6. 
  • Nova Southeastern and Barry traded points, as the score sat tied at 13-13. 
  • The Buccaneers took the third set 25-17 over the Sharks. 
  • Early in the fourth set, Barry took a 12-8 lead over NSU. 
  • The Sharks continued to battle their way back throughout the frame, but were unable to take the lead, dropping the set 25-22.
  • As to be expected for a Sharks and Buccaneers match, the contest went the distance.
  • Barry quickly took a 7-2 lead over NSU but points from Price and Aniol, followed by a Buccaneers error, put the score a 7-5.
  • The Buccaneers closed out the match with a 15-8 fifth set win. 

Quotes
Head Coach Kacie Ehinger – I’m really proud of the way we played. We came out really loose and started out well. We know we can play with anyone in our conference on any given night. This team is going to fight hard and our seniors have been through a lot throughout their careers. Our group of seniors – Brittany Landrum, Elizabeth Price, Jordan Chessar, and Kate Mihacevich – are my favorite group of seniors I’ve had the chance to coach. They are all terrific leaders, I feel like they’re a great group of people who will make a difference in the world and I’m so proud to be their coach.”

What's Next
Nova Southeastern Volleyball won 20 games for the second straight season, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. Sharks Volleyball thanks Brittany Landrum (the program’s all-time leader in blocks), Elizabeth Price, Jordan Chessar and Kate Mihacevich for their contributions and lasting legacy they have left on the program. 

The NSU Sharks Volleyball season has come to its conclusion. Nova Southeastern will return to competition in the fall of 2025. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball throughout the offseason, be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and NSU_VB. 

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Sharks set to take on Buccaneers in NCAA Tournament

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks Volleyball team has qualified for the NCAA tournament for the fourth consecutive season, the third under Head Coach Kacie Ehinger, and will face Sunshine State Conference rival Barry in the opening round on Friday afternoon. The NCAA Regional tournament will take place at the de Hoernle Sports Center on the campus of Lynn University.  

Each regular season matchs between the Sharks and Buccaneers went the distance, with NSU dropping both in the inaugural “County-Line Cup” clashes.  

Seventh-seed Nova Southeastern | 20-10, 11-9 Sunshine State Conference 

Led by Sunshine State Conference and AVCA All-South Region first-team honoree Olivia Aniol, NSU won 20 matches for the second consecutive season. Heading into the NCAA Tournament, Aniol is currently tied for the national lead in block assist (130) – setting the single-season program record for the statistic – while also ranking third nationally in total blocks (130), and seventh in blocks/set (1.42).  

Taylor Stockman earned the third Sunshine State Conference honor of her career, being named to the all-conference second-team. The junior leads the Sharks in points (395.5), points/set (3.66), service aces (36)m and added 264 digs and 85 blocks.  

Kate Mihacevich earned third-team All-Sunshine State Conference honors, tallying 292 kills, 32 service aces, 342.5 points and set a career-best with 34 blocks.  

In the regular season matches versus the Buccaneers, Elizabeth Price led the Sharks office with 30 kills, averaging 3.00 per-set, while Mihacevich added 36 points, and Aniol contributed a team-best 11 blocks.  

Second-seed Barry | 23-4, 16-4 Sunshine State Conference 

Led by two-time Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year Diana Akpova, the Buccaneers return to the NCAA Tournament after going 11-18 during the 2023 season. Four Buccaneers were named to the All-Sunshine State Conference teams, headlined by Akpova, who was joined on the first-team by Eremeeva Veronika, while Varvara Osychenko earned second-team honors and Jeyhlen Thomas was named to the third-team.  

Barry enters the NCAA tournament having won each of their last 11 matches, having swept nine-of-11. The only Sunshine State Conference team to take a set over the Buccaneers during their winning streak is the Sharks, who forced five-sets in both matches.  

The Sharks and Buccaneers will play at 1:30 p.m. at the de Hoernle Sports Center. For more information on the NCAA South Region Tournament, click here. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball, be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and X at NSU_VB.  

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Aniol earns All-South Region Recognition

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) released their respective All-Region teams on Wednesday afternoon. Olivia Aniol, a junior middle blocker, was named to the first-team all-south region in the AVCA, while also earning second-team all-south region recognition by the D2 CCA. 

Aniol enjoyed the best season of her career at Nova Southeastern as a junior, setting the program record for block assists in a single season (129), while also setting career-highs in kills (244), kills/set (2.28), service aces (28), solo blocks (23), total blocks (152), blocks/set (1.42), points (355.5) and points/set (3.32). Aniol was named to the first-team all-Sunshine State Conference, the first all-conference honor of her career.  

Entering the NCAA Tournament, Aniol is currently tied for the national lead in block assists, while ranking third nationally in total blocks and seventh in blocks/set.  

Aniol and the Sharks, led by Head Coach Kacie Ehinger, qualified for the NCAA tournament for the fourth consecutive year – third under Ehinger – and begin play versus Sunshine State Conference rival Barry on Friday, December 6th, at the de Hoernle Sports Center on the campus of Lynn University. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball, be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and X at NSU_VB.  

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Sharks Clinch Spot in NCAA Regional Tournament

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – For the fourth consecutive season, and third under Head Coach Kacie Ehinger, the Nova Southeastern Sharks Volleyball team has qualified for the NCAA South Regional tournament. The Sharks (20-10) enter the tournament as the seventh seed and will play second-seeded Barry in the first round at the de Hoernle Sports Center on the campus of Lynn University beginning on Friday, December 6th. Nova Southeastern is one of six Sunshine State Conference teams that made the field, which consists of top-seeded Lynn, Barry, Tampa, Embry-Riddle, Florida Tech, West Florida (Gulf South Conference), NSU, and Spring Hill (Southern Intercollegiate Athletics Conference) 

The Sharks lead the Sunshine State Conference in total blocks (282) and feature three All-Sunshine State Conference honorees, Olivia Aniol (first-team), Taylor Stockman (second-team) and Kate Mihacevich (third-team).

Aniol became the program’s all-time record holder for block assists in a season with 129 and set career-bests in kills (244), kills-per-set (2.28), service aces (24), solo blocks (23), total blocks (152), blocks-per-set (1.42), points (355.5) and points-per-set (3.32). Aniol leads the Sunshine State Conference in blocks assists, total blocks and blocks-per-set, while also ranking third nationally in total blocks and seventh nationally in blocks-per-set.  

Stockman’s list of accolades continues to grow as the former Freshman of the Year, earns All-Sunshine State Conference honors for the third consecutive season and second straight season being recognized on the second-team. Stockman started all 30 matches for NSU, while leading the Sharks in sets played (108), points (395.5), points-per-set (3.66), service aces (36) while recording 264 digs and 85 blocks. The junior recorded the 1,000th point of her career earlier this season and currently ranks eighth all-time in program history with 1,189.5.  

Mihacevich earned the second all-league honor of her career (2022, Third-Team). The senior recorded 292 kills, 32 service aces, 342.5 points, and set a career-high with 34 blocks. On a per-set basis, Mihacevich averaged 2.81 kills and 3.29 points, while setting a career-best with a 0.242 hitting percentage.  

The NCAA South Region Tournament will take place on the campus of Lynn University from December 6th – 8th. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball, be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and X at NSU_VB. 

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NSU Drops SSC Match versus Florida Southern

Lakeland, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks Volleyball team finished their 2024 regular season with a five-set loss to the Florida Southern Moccasins. 

Olivia Aniol set the Nova Southeastern Volleyball program’s single season record for Block Assists, recording her 129th of the season on Saturday. 

Breakdown

Records: Nova Southeastern 20-10, 11-9 SSC | Florida Southern 15-13, 9-11 SSC
Score: Nova Southeastern 2 | Florida Southern 3
Location: Jenkins Field House | Lakeland, Fla. 
Get Social: Instagram – NSU_Vball | X – NSU_VB

How it Happened

  • The Sharks and Mocs exchanged points back and forth in the early stages of the first set. 
  • Kills from Elizabeth Price and Olivia Aniol put NSU ahead 11-7. 
  • An error by Florida Southern sparked an 8-1 rally by the Sharks, giving NSU a 19-9 lead. 
  • During the run, Brittany Landrum recorded a block, Taylor Stockman tallied a kill, while Gabrielle Spankus and Kate Mihacevich also added points. 
  • A kill from Landrum sealed the 25-14 opening set win for Nova Southeastern
  • Trailing 8-5 in the second set, a 9-2 run by the Sharks flipped the momentum as NSU took a 14-10 lead over the Mocs. 
  • Florida Southern rallied to score 8-of-9 points and took the second set 25-22. 
  •  FSC controlled the third set throughout, as the Sharks dropped the frame 25-20. 
  • Trailing 19-14 in the fourth, three consecutive points from Aniol, led NSU on a 7-2 run to tie the frame at 21-21. 
  • Aniol recorded three of the final points in the fourth set, carrying the Sharks to a 26-24 set win and forcing a fifth set. 
  • The fifth set was highly contested throughout, as the Sharks tied the frame with a service ace by Emerson Deferme
  • The Mocs pulled away, finishing off the match with by a score 15-12

What's Next
Nova Southeastern awaits the NCAA Selection show on Monday, November 25th, which will be streamed on ncaa.com. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball, be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and X at NSU_VB

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Sharks fall to #14 Spartans

TAMPA, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks Volleyball team was defeated by the No. 14 Tampa Spartans in a Sunshine State Conference match on Friday evening at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center. 

Breakdown
Records: Nova Southeastern 20-9, 11-8 SSC | No. 14 Tampa 23-4, 15-4 SSC
Score: Nova Southeastern 0 | No. 14 Tampa 3
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
Get Social: Instagram – NSU_VBall | X – NSU_VB
How it Happened

  • After falling behind the Spartans 5-2, the Sharks were sparked by a kill from Taylor Stockman, followed by a service ace from Marley Navaretta and a kill from Olivia Aniol, and tied the set at 5-5. 
  • NSU fell behind Tampa 15-7
  • Kills from Elizabeth Price and Aniol put the score at 21-15
  • The Sharks dropped the opening frame 25-20.
  • Stockman, Price and Navaretta each tallied points as NSU began the second set on a 3-0 run 
  • Nova Southeastern and Tampa traded points, as kills from Aniol and Kate Mihacevich tied the second frame at 15-15. 
  • NSU fell behind the Spartans 21-18, but an error by Tampa, followed by a pair of kills from Pirce and a block from Aniol and Juliana Imbuzeiro gave the Sharks a 22-21 lead. 
  • Tampa scored the final four points in the set, taking the frame 25-22.
  • The Sharks took an early 3-1 lead in the third set, receiving points from Price, Stockman and Aniol. 
  • Price started a 5-1 rally for NSU, pushing the lead to 9-6 over the Spartans.
  • Tampa took a 16-13 lead over NSU, but Price and Mihacevich each added points, tying the frame at 16-16.
  • Tampa closed the match with a 25-19 third set win. 

What's Next
Nova Southeastern will conclude their 2024 regular season with a Sunshine State Conference match on Saturday, November 23rd, taking on Florida Southern. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball, be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and X at NSU_VB. 

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Sharks Sweep Rollins for 20th win of season

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks Volleyball team earned their 20th win for the second consecutive season, sweeping the Rollins Tars in a Sunshine State Conference match on Tuesday evening from the Rick Case Arena. Elizabeth Price led the Sharks with 13 kills, surpassing 300 in a season for the second time in her collegiate career, while Kate Mihacevich and Taylor Stockman both recorded 10 kills. 

Breakdown
Records: Nova Southeastern 20-8, 11-7 SSC | Rollins 13-17, 4-15 SSC
Score: Nova Southeastern 3 | Rollins 0
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 
Get Social: Instagram – NSU_VBall | X – NSU_VB

How it Happened

  • An 8-2 run to begin the match gave the Sharks full momentum. Brittany Landrum totaled four points during the rally, while Kate Mihacevich and Taylor Stockman also contributed during the rally.
  • NSU extended the advantage to 15-7 over Rollins, as Olivia Aniol, Elizabeth Price and Juliana Imbuzeiro added points.
  • Imbuzeiro set up Aniol for a kill, before Aniol added back-to-back service aces, putting the score at 18-8.
  • Offensively, five Sharks tallied three kills in the opening set – Mihacevich, Landrum, Stockman, Price, Aniol – leading NSU to a 25-12 first set win.
  • Landrum and Price totaled three kills in the early stages of the second set, while the Sharks also took advantage of a pair of Rollins errors, giving NSU a 5-3 lead.
  • Following a 5-0 rally by the Tars, Mihacevich sparked a four-point run for NSU, tying the set at 9-9.
  • Overwhelming offense enabled the Sharks to go on a 9-2 run, as Gabrielle Spankus started the rally with a service ace before Mihacevich, Price, Stockman, and Aniol all added points, putting the score at 18-13. 
  • Rollins and NSU traded points, but the Sharks prevailed in the set, taking a 2-0 match lead with a 25–19 victory.
  • Dominant offense for the Sharks allowed Nova Southeastern to take a 5-1 lead in the final set. Stockman tallied two kills, while Mihacevich added one of her own, and Spankus recorded a service ace.
  • Pouncing on three Rollins errors, allowed the Sharks to rally for eight consecutive points and taking a 19-9 lead in the final frame.
  • Olivia Aniol recorded back-to-back points, giving Nova Southeastern a 22-13 lead. 
  • Your Sharks closed out their 2024 home schedule with their 20th win of the season, defeating the Rollins Tars 25-16 in the final set and sweeping the match.

Shark Standouts
Elizabeth Price: 13 kills
Kate Mihacevich: 10 kills, 0.588 hitting percentage
Taylor Stockman: 10 kills, three blocks, eight digs
Olivia Aniol: seven kills, five blocks

What's Next
The Sharks travel to take on No. 14 Tampa in a Sunshine State Conference match on Friday, November 22nd, at the Bob Martinez Center. First serve is set for 7 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and X at NSU_VB.

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Sharks Volleyball Announces Four Commitments

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks Volleyball team, under the direction of Head Coach Kacie Ehinger, have announced the commitment of Amalee Doyle, Ayana Solan, Natalya Bergant, and Hadley Dantzler and welcome the four signees to the program.  

Amalee Doyle | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Fossil Ridge High School & Rocky Elite Volleyball Club | Fort Collins, CO. 

During her high school career, Doyle was recognized as the 2023 High School Champion and Teammate of the year in 2023. Doyle helped Fossil Ridge High School reach the Colorado State High School Class 5A state championship match.  

Additionally, Doyle was recognized as the 2023 and 2024 Academic All-State Club Team Captain. 

Head Coach Kacie Ehinger – “I’m excited to finally get Amalee to campus, it’s been a long time coming with having her throughout the years in a camp setting. She brings solid ball control, defense and a lot of energy to the court.” 
 
Ayana Solan | Middle Blocker | West Orange High School & Top Select Volleyball Academy | Winter Garden, Fla. 
Solan made the USAV 15 open national tournament participant in 2022 and also helped West Orange High school win the 2024 7A district championship.  

Head Coach Kacie Ehinger – “Ayana is a high-flying middle with a fast arm and a ton of upside. She plays at a level that will fit nicely in the SSC. I can’t wait to get her to campus and watch her continue to grow.” 

Natalya Bergant | Right Side | Lake Catholic High School & Academy Volleyball Cleveland | Mentor, Ohio 

A three-time state champion in Ohio at Lake Catholic High School, Bergant dominated throughout high school career. Bergant was a three-time All-Ohio second-team representative, while also earning the Lake Catholic Offensive Player of the Year award in three straight seasons. Bergant was named to the Crown Conference first-team from 2021 through 2023.  

This season, Bergant was named to the North Coast Conference Player of the Year, earned all-district first-team honors and was a national finalist at the USAV National Tournament, while garnering all-tournament team honors. 
 
Head Coach Kacie Ehinger – “Natalya is a dynamic lefty on the right side who can hit a variety of sets and shots. She has the ability to play all six rotations and I look forward to getting her in our gym in the fall!” 
 
Hadley Dantzler | Middle Blocker | Saint John’s Country Day School & OTVA-Jacksonville | Middleburg, Fla. 

Dantlzer was named the Class 1A Region 1 District 3 player of the year – earning all-district honors – while also being named the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year and the Orange Park Rotary Club Athlete of the Fall.  

Head Coach Kacie Ehinger – “Hadley is a steady presence in the middle who is playing at a high level. She has the ability to run multiple sets along the net and I can’t wait to see her in a Shark uniform.” 

The four signees will join the Sharks Volleyball program in the fall of 2025. NSU will play their final match at the Rick Case Arena for the 2024 season on Tuesday, November 19th, against Rollins. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. To stay up-to-date on NSU Volleyball, be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and X at NSU_VB.  

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Sharks Beat Saint Leo in SSC Match

SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks Volleyball team held the Saint Leo Lions to a 0.000 hitting percentage in a four-set Sunshine State Conference victory. NSU totaled 46 kills and dominated at the net with 15 blocks. Elizabeth Price recorded 11 kills, while Olivia Aniol added seven blocks.

Breakdown
Records: Nova Southeastern 19-8, 10-7 SSC | Saint Leo 5-20, 1-16 SSC
Score: Nova Southeastern 3 | Saint Leo 1
Location: Marion Bowman Center | Saint Leo, Fla.
Get Social: Instagram – NSU_VBall | X – NSU_VB

How it Happened

  • Nova Southeastern took advantage of five errors by the Lions, taking a 6-1 lead in the opening set. 
  • Elizabeth Price sparked a 12-0 run by the Sharks, tallying three kills, while Olivia Aniol and Juliana Imbuzeiro contribute points, giving NSU a 19-3 advantage.
  • The Sharks closed the first set with a 25-12 victory.
  • NSU came out hot once again in the second set, leading 7-2 early in the frame.
  • Madelyn Hooper, Price, Brittany Landrum, and Taylor Stockman all tallied points during the set opening run. 
  • Nova Southeastern continued to hold the lead throughout the frame, extending the advantage to 18-10 following a block from Landrum and Stockman, as well as a kill from Price.
  • Kate Mihacevich sealed the 25-14 second set win for the Sharks, giving NSU a 2-0 lead in the match.
  • Saint Leo led throughout the third set, taking the frame 25-20 over the Sharks.
  • Landrum and Stockman each recorded a pair of points, giving NSU a 4-1 lead in the fourth set. 
  • A 6-1 run for the Sharks, started by Landrum, pushed the lead to 10-4 over Saint Leo.
  • Emerson Deferme and Marley Navaretta added points during the run, contributing a kill and a service ace, respectively.
  • Imbuzeiro, Gabrielle Spankus, and Mihacevich tallied points, pushing the lead to 21-8.
  • Price finished off the 25-10 fourth set win for the Sharks, giving NSU the 3-1 victory in the match.

Shark Standouts
Elizabeth Price: 11 kills, 0.328 hitting percentage, seven digs
Taylor Stockman: 10 kills, seven digs
Olivia Aniol: seven blocks, six kills, 0.313 hitting percentage

What's Next
The Sharks will return to the Rick Case Arena for their final home match of the 2024 season and will take on Rollins on Tuesday, November 19th. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball, be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and X at NSU_VB.

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