SSC Releases Preseason Poll, Tampa Tabbed Second

ORLANDO, Fla. - Sunshine State Conference volleyball coaches have selected Lynn University to repeat as league champions in 2025. With 97 points and eight first-place votes in the preseason poll, the Defending National Champion Fighting Knights are expected to lift the league trophy for the third time in program history.

With 92 points and two first-place nods, Tampa finishes in the runner-up spot, the program's first time outside No. 1 in a poll since 2018. Barry lands in third with 81 points and the final first-place vote. Embry-Riddle edges Nova Southeastern, 66 to 65 points, for fourth place. Florida Tech holds the middle position in the poll with 62 points, followed by Eckerd and Florida Southern in a tie for seventh with 42 points. Rollins (25 points), Palm Beach Atlantic (23 points), and Saint Leo (10 points) hold the final three positions in the ranking.

2025 SSC VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE | SSC VOLLEYBALL RECORDS

Lynn captured its second SSC title and first in three years with a 17-3 conference record, finishing ahead of Barry and Tampa, who each posted 16-4 marks. For the second consecutive season, the SSC earned six NCAA Division II South Region berths, with Lynn, Barry, Tampa, Embry-Riddle, Florida Tech, and Nova Southeastern securing seeds one through five and seven. Lynn went on to outlast Tampa in five sets to win the regional championship.

"Lynn's regional championship extended the SSC's streak of national quarterfinal appearances to 31 straight seasons. The Fighting Knights entered the 2024 NCAA Elite Eight as the #4 seed, sweeping #5 Wingate in the quarterfinals and #8 Bentley in the semifinals. They secured the program's first national title with a five-set win over #7 San Francisco State. SSC programs have advanced to the national semifinals 25 times, reached the championship match 15 times, and captured eight titles, with Tampa (4), Barry (3), and Lynn (1) claiming the honors."

Last season, the league boasted 15 AVCA All-Americans, equaling the 2023 total, which is the most since volleyball became a league sport in 1983.  Former National Player of the Year Diana Akopova (BU) was tabbed First Team, along with Cordelia Kearns of Florida Tech. Lynn's Maria Cecilia Pinho and Tampa's Nathaly Perez earned Second Team honors, while Lynn's Isabelle Gentile received a Third Team nod. Ten women from six different programs earned Honorable Mention. Additionally, over 70 entries were added to the volleyball record book following a banner 2024 season. 

The 2025 season opens on Thursday, September 4th, with Eckerd hosting Bemidji State. The remaining 10 schools begin their seasons in tournament action the next day. Conference play starts on Tuesday, September 23rd, with Tampa hosting Saint Leo.

Below are the full results of the 2025 SSC preseason coaches' poll. Coaches cannot vote for their teams (points: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses).

 2025 SSC WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

See Also: All-SSC Teams | SSC National Champions |SSC Champions | 2024 SSC Standings

Previous SSC Volleyball Polls