MIAMI (April 23, 2017) - The No. 10-ranked FIU beach volleyball team battled hard in rainy conditions, but came out on the short end in the championship match in the 2017 Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Beach Volleyball Championships on Sunday, at the Lakepoint Sporting Community Park in Emerson, Georgia. The Panthers (24-15) dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 4-ranked, and the top-seed, Florida State.
 
In last night's semifinal match against the two seed, LSU, the Panthers pulled off an impressive comeback, taking down the Tigers in thrilling fashion (3-2). FIU looked to continue that momentum today in the championship match-up against the defending CCSA champion, Seminoles.
 
Florida State took the lead, knocking out pairs five, three and two, respectively, in two sets each.
 
On court five, FSU's Hailey Luke and Eva Torruella took down Anabela Sataric and Estefanie Bethancourt, 21-12, 21-5 in the first two-set match of the day.
 
The No. 3 pair of Macy Jerger and her partner, Sierra Sanchez, defeated Helene Thelle and Natalia Giron, 21-19, 21-9.
 
To secure the victory, Vanessa Freire and Victoria Paranagua defeated Katie Friesen and Taija Thomas, 21-16, 21-19 on court three.

The tandem of Lina Bernier and Katie Hogan were named to the CCSA All-Tournament team, finishing the weekend with a 5-0 record with victories over South Carolina, Tulane, Florida State, UNCW and LSU.
 
Today was FIU's first appearance in the CCSA finals in program history. 
 
Florida State def. FIU, 3-0
 
No. 1 Leigh Andrew/Brooke Kuhlman (FSU) vs. Margherita Bianchin/Federica Frasca (FIU) 21-17, 16-17
No. 2 Vanessa Freire/Victoria Paranagua (FSU) def. Katie Friesen/Taija Thomas (FIU) 21-16, 21-19
No. 3 Macy Jerger/Sierra Sanchez (FSU) def. Helene Thelle/Natalia Giron (FIU) 21-19, 21-9
No. 4 Katie Horton/Francesca Goncalves (FSU) vs. Lina Bernier/Katie Hogan (FIU) 21-15, 10-19
No. 5 Hailey Luke/Eva Torruella (FSU) Anabela Sataric/Estefanie Bethancourt (FIU) 21-12, 21-5
 
Order of Finish: 5, 3, 2
 
##### About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and Riccardo Silva Stadium. About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $8.9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.