After winning a second national title last season, 8 of the Florida SouthWestern volleyball players packed their championship rings and headed to the Division I level, leaving just two starters coming back and giving the returners their chance to fill those shoes.
"I was preparing myself last year for this, because I know that I would have a big role in the team," said FSW sophomore setter Camilla Brandalise. "So I feel like I'm doing pretty great in there."
The time for Camilla Brandalise and sophomore middle hitter Abby Toeniskoetter has come. The two are key playmakers for the Bucs on their journey towards another national title.
"They worked a lot," laughed FSW head volleyball coach Thais Baziquetto-Allen. "I think this is a path that they both knew that they were going to take into our program."
As Freshmen, Brandalise played sparingly behind NJCAA National Player of the Year Roberta Purashaj, and Toeniskoetter saw action in 11 games in 2023.
"Knowing that I would have to step up has definitely been something I've been looking forward to," said Toeniskoetter. "And just coming in every day wanting to get better and prove that I'm meant to be where I am."
Both ladies are proving that. In last week's game at Miami-Dade, Toeniskoetter set a new program record for a middle hitter with 21 kills. She now leads the state in blocks per set and the county in hitting percentage.
"How far she has come from last year and how well she's playing on such a high level volleyball, it's really impressive to see," said Baziquetto-Allen.<
"We trust each other a lot on the court, and we communicate super well, and that was really helpful for me," said Toeniskoetter.
That same night, Brandalise tied Purashaj's single game record with 60 assists. She leads the state and is ranked sixth nationally in assists per set and has already more than doubled her total assists from last year.
"I just feel like having more confidence in myself now," said Brandalise. "I feel like all the work that I'm putting on the court is actually working. So I feel very great."
A third of the 11-1 Bucs' regular season remains, but their eyes are set on playing well past that, back to the national stage.
"We just want it super bad and want to work hard every day to get there," said Toeniskoetter.