BREAKING: The Mineral Area Cardinals have been assigned the 14th seed in the NJCAA volleyball tournament and will face off against the three-time defending national champions Florida Southwestern in their opening match on Wednesday, November 9, 2025, at the Dunn Center in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Despite a stellar 27-2 record this season and victories over multiple ranked opponents, the Cardinals’ placement in the tournament has drawn criticism. Their recent triumph over Iowa Western secured an automatic bid to the NJCAA tournament but did not impress the selection committee.
Florida Southwestern enters the matchup with a strong lineup, highlighted by outside hitter Sara Gamboa, who averages an impressive 3.79 kills per set, and right side Letizia Okonofua at 3.11 kills per set. The Cardinals, however, are not to be underestimated. They are the Region 16 and Central B District champions and are making their sixth all-time NJCAA tournament appearance.
Mineral Area’s offensive threat includes Lara Gilardi, who has averaged 3.40 kills per set, and Gabrielle Damborowiski, contributing 3.25 kills per set from the left side. Defensively, the team boasts Sara Pjevic, who has recorded 112 blocks this season, while libero Ava Penuel provides a solid 4.00 digs per set.
The matchup is poised to be a thrilling contest as the Cardinals look to prove their worth against a formidable opponent. Fans and supporters are eager to see how the team will perform under pressure.
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Mineral Area as they prepare for this crucial game. This is a moment of excitement for both players and fans, and the potential for an upset looms large.
Stay tuned for further updates as the tournament progresses.
