PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of West Florida volleyball team clinched the top spot in the Gulf South Conference Tournament and raised $9,219 for the Pensacola Breast Cancer Association through its annual Pack It Pink match on Saturday. The win was a clean 3-0 sweep over Mississippi College, and UWF improved to 21-7 on the year with a 13-1 GSC record.
 
In the 12th annual Pack It Pink match, West Florida raised money for the PBCA through an online auction and by accepting donations at the door in lieu of ticket sales. There was also a pre-match reception for cancer survivors, who were also recognized in front of the crowd of 571 immediately before the match began.
 
"I was in awe of how many people stepped out here to honor somebody who had battled cancer, and how many survivors we had," Wolter said. "Couldn't' be more proud of my players for fighting through, and we want to play for something bigger than just what's on the court."
 
The match was never in doubt for UWF, which held Mississippi College to a -.008 attack percentage in the match. The Argonauts were led by senior Mackenzie Chrisman, whose seven kills and nine blocks led all players, and Phoebe Hozeska, who had six kills, hit .600, and added three blocks. Additionally, Hozeska's mother and cancer survivor Cheryl Strockis served as West Florida's guest coach for the match.
 
West Florida cruised to a 25-11 win in the first set, getting four kills each from Jordyn Poppen and Chrisman. Logan Kael added seven digs in each of the first two sets, before adding five more in the third to lead all players with 19 digs.
 
UWF's defense came out in full force in the first two sets, holding MC to a -.095 attack percentage and forcing 23 errors between the set wins. West Florida tallied 9 total blocks in the first two sets, as well.
 
West Florida showed no trouble in closing out the match in the third, getting three kills from Hozeska and another three from Kierra Potts in the final frame.
 
"I want us focused on every single win," Wolter added. "I don't want us to look at some matches and think only those matter, because every match matters. I'm very proud of this group."
 
UWF will visit Valdosta State on Tuesday before wrapping up the regular season with a match at Auburn Montgomery on Saturday, November 3. The Gulf South Conference Volleyball Tournament will begin on November 9 and will be hosted by West Florida.