For the first time in 2017, the fourth-ranked Florida State beach volleyball team will get a chance play at home as the Seminoles host the Staybridge Suites Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the Seminole Beach Volleyball courts.
The Seminoles will be at home for the first weekend since the exhibition Garnet and Gold match on Feb. 26. The Noles began the season on a 21-match road stint before returning home the next two weekends to wrap up the 2017 regular season.
“We are looking forward to being at home in our own beds, eating some good food and competing in front of our own fans,” Florida State head coach Brooke Niles said. “We are a little road warry, but it has definitely made us stronger to this point. We are excited to have five of the top teams in the country coming to our own beach tournament. It is going to be a great weekend of beach volleyball and hopefully a fun showcase for our fans.”
Florida State welcomes South Carolina, Georgia State, FIU, TCU and FAU to Tallahassee for the two-day tournament. The Seminoles will open the tournament against No. 16 TCU at 4 p.m. on Friday for the Paint It Pink match and the Noles only match of the day. On Saturday, FSU will face No. 14 FAU at 8 a.m. and then close out the tournament against No. 11 South Carolina at 11 a.m.
FSU owns a combined 13-0 record all-time against the Horned Frogs, Owls and Gamecocks. The Noles are 2-0 against TCU and last played the Frogs a year ago in Fort Worth, Texas, where the Seminoles won 5-0. Florida State holds a 4-0 record against the Owls, winning 5-0 in Siesta Key, Fla. last season. The Garnet and Gold will be capping off the weekend against South Carolina, who the Noles beat 4-1 in Columbia, S.C. earlier this year.
Florida State is a perfect 20-0 all time at home and looks to continue the streak this weekend.
“I am so excited to play at our courts at home with our families, friends and Nole fans,’ junior Victoria Paranagua said. “It is really exciting to play some good schools at home, defending our territory. I am just excited to represent FSU at home.”
In the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll, Florida State comes in at No. 4. This marks the 17th straight week that the Noles have been ranked in the Top 5 of the AVCA Coaches Poll dating back to the first poll of 2016. The Seminoles still rank No. 4 in the DiG magazine poll, as well.
Lives stats for all 12 matches of the FSU Beach Invitational will be available at Seminoles.com. Admission to the Seminole Beach Volleyball courts is free of charge and parking will be in the Spirt Way Garage just next to the courts. Fans can also follow the Noles on Twitter (@FSU_BeachVB), Facebook (/FSUBeachVB) and on Instagram (@FSUBeachVolleyball) for updates from this weekend’s matches.
Staybridge Suites Invitational Schedule
Friday, April 7
Match 1: Georgia State vs. TCU 8:30 a.m./9:15 a.m.
Match 2: FIU vs. South Carolina 10 a.m./10:45 a.m.
Match 3: FAU vs. Georgia State 11:30 a.m./12:15 p.m.
Match 4: TCU vs. FIU 1 p.m./1:45 p.m.
Match 5: South Carolina vs. FAU 2:30 p.m./3:15 p.m.
Match 6: Florida State vs. TCU 4 p.m./4:45 p.m.
Saturday, April 8
Match 7: Florida State vs. FAU 8:00 a.m./8:45 a.m.
Match 8: South Carolina vs. TCU 9:30 a.m./10:15 a.m.
Match 9: Florida State vs. South Carolina 11:00 a.m./11:45 p.m.
Match 10: TCU vs. FAU 12:30 p.m./1:15 p.m.
Match 11: Georgia State vs. FIU 2:00 p.m./2:45 p.m.
Match 12: South Carolina vs. Georgia State 3:30 p.m./4:15 p.m.
News courtesy of Florida State Athletics.
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