FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 6, 2021) - Death, taxes and Miami Dade College winning the FCSAA State Volleyball Championship. 

The Sharks didn't enter the six-team tournament as the favorite. That title belonged to host Florida SouthWestern State College, the Suncoast Conference Champions and undisputed No. 1 team in both the FCSAA and NJCAA polls. In the end, however, it was No. 2 seed Miami Dade who hoisted the championship trophy for the 41st time following a straight-set victory over fifth-seed Polk State College in Saturday's state championship match.

The win also gave Miami Dade the NJCAA Southeast District A Championship and an automatic berth to the NJCAA Division I Volleyball Championships in Hutchinson, Kan.

Despite the loss, Polk State got a second shot at punching a ticket to nationals, and the Vikings did just that, beating Spartanburg (S.C.) Methodist College, 3-1, in Sunday's Southeast District B Championship match. 

Miami Dade (16-3) didn't lose a set in either of its matches, also defeating Daytona State College, 3-0, on Friday. Polk State had a much different path to its national tournament berth. 

After sweeping Hillsborough Community College in Friday's first-round match, the Eagles pulled the upset of the tournament with a five-set win over Florida SouthWestern in an instant classic. 

Down two sets to none, Polk State took the next two to force a decisive fifth set. The Houdini act was just beginning, however. 

Trailing 14-8, the Vikings survived six match points, then had one of their own to cap a 7-0 run. Polk State faced another match point, down 16-15, before rattling off three straight to secure the upset. 

Florida SouthWestern bounced back to beat Indian River State College on Saturday morning before falling to Hillsborough in the third-place match. 

The Bucs will play the waiting game on its NJCAA Tournament fate, but are presumed to be one of the favorites to land an at-large berth.

Miami Dade's Janelly Ceopa was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. 

FCSAA/NJCAA Gulf District All-Tournament Team

Janelly Ceopa, Miami Dade; Kaila Ru, Polk State; Romina Cornelio, Miami Dade; Alina Carillo, Daytona State; Svenja Rodenbusch, Hillsborough; Carolina Takahshi, Miami Dade; Morgan Madasz, Polk State; Maria Petkova, Florida SouthWestern; Elly McInerney, Polk State; Pio Mohr, Hillsborough; Arianna Rossi, Florida SouthWestern; Kiaraliz Perez, Miami Dade

Most Outstanding Player: Janelly Ceopa, Miami Dade