Press Release courtesy of Florida State Athletics
The No. 4/3 Florida State beach volleyball team will host the earliest home event the team has ever seen as it participates in the FSU Invitational on March 2-3. The Seminoles welcome St. Petersburg College, College of Charleston, No. 15 Stetson and Florida International to the FSU Sand Volleyball Courts in the weekend event.
Florida State will take on the St. Petersburg College Titans twice on Friday (at 12:30 and 4:30 pm) and will host the College of Charleston Cougars (10:30 am) and the Stetson Hatters (4:30 pm) on Saturday.
This is the earliest home event the Seminoles have ever seen, and the first of two tournaments Florida State will host in Tallahassee.
“We’re always so excited to play at home, the weather in Tallahassee is gorgeous this time of the year,” said head coach Brooke Niles. “We’re just really excited to show the fans where we’re going to start, and when they see us at the end of the year I think they’re going to be really impressed with the work the team has done.”
In the team’s first weekend of play, the Seminoles emerged from the Stetson Spring Fling as the only undefeated team in the tournament, and one of two (alongside No. 1 Southern California) undefeated teams in the AVCA top-5.
The Seminoles are now looking forward showing their fans at home the high level of play and athleticism they worked for in their nearly nine-month offseason.
“I think it’s fun to have a home match no matter what time in the season,” said sophomore Francesca Goncalves. “It’s just the best environment when you can play other teams at your home and showcase for the fans and your family on your home court.”
The team’s only ranked match will be against No. 15 Stetson in their final match of the event on Saturdayafternoon. The Seminoles took down the Hatters in a 4-1 decision last weekend at the Stetson Spring Fling.
The Seminoles are looking to get a few more wins tacked onto their record before heading out to California next weekend, where they will face the four other AVCA Top-5 programs, as well as No. 7 Long Beach State and No. 20 Loyola Marymount.
“It’s a little unusual for us [to host a tournament so early in the season],” said redshirt senior Hailey Luke. “But we’re really excited to play at home, face some good competition and have some fun.”
Schedule of Events – FSU Invitational
Friday, March 2
8:30 am – No. 15 Stetson vs. St. Petersburg College
10:30 am – No. 11 FIU vs. College of Charleston
12:30 pm – No. 4 FSU vs. St. Petersburg College
2:30 pm – College of Charleston vs. No. 15 Stetson
4:30 pm – No. 4 FSU vs. St. Petersburg College
Saturday, March 3
8:30 am – No. 11 FIU vs. St. Petersburg College
10:30 am – No. 4 FSU vs College of Charleston
12:30 pm – No. 11 FIU vs. No. 15 Stetson
2:30 pm – College of Charleston vs. St. Petersburg College
4:30 pm – No. 4 FSU vs. No. 15 Stetson
Noles Jump to No. 3 in DiG Magazine Poll
After going 4-0 in its opening weekend, FSU moved from No. 5 to No. 3 in the Week #1 DiG Magazine poll. The Seminoles stayed at No. 4 in the AVCA Coaches Poll for the first week.
Goncalves and Putt earn VolleyMob Pair of the Week
The first individual award of the season went to sophomore Francesca Goncalves and redshirt sophomore Sara Putt after the pair went 4-0 at the No. 3 position in the team’s first weekend of play. The pair earned three straight-set wins and clinched all four wins for the Seminoles.
Perfect Opening Weekend
The Seminoles emerged from the Stetson Spring Fling as the only undefeated team in the tournament, and one of only two AVCA top-5 teams (along with Southern California) to come out of the first weekend undefeated. FSU swept conference opponent Florida Atlantic, then defeated South Carolina, Georgia State and Stetson in 4-1 decisions.
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