MIAMI (March 29, 2018) – The No. 12-ranked FIU beach volleyball team returns to Miami to host its signature event of the season, the sixth annual Surf 'N' Turf Invitational at Lummus Park on South Beach, March 30-31. The two-day event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7:50 a.m. each day, with the final match on Friday beginning at 6:50 p.m. Saturday's final contest begins at 4:50 p.m.
Click here for complete tournament central, that includes directions, parking information, updated scores, and pairs results.
The Panthers will play three matches over the two days, all coming against teams that are either ranked or getting votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll. FIU begins play on Friday at 8:50 a.m. against No. 11 Grand Canyon, before taking on No. 2-ranked UCLA at 11:50 a.m., and No. 8 South Carolina at 4:50 p.m. to close out day one. On Saturday, the Panthers take the court against No. 7 Florida State at 10:50 a.m., Tulane – who is receiving votes in the AVCA poll – at 12:50 p.m., and then close out the weekend against No. 9 Georgia State at 3:50 p.m.
FIU (15-5, 3-1 Coastal Collegiate Sports Association) remains almost unbeatable at the No. 1 and No. 5 positions.
Federica Frasca and
Margherita Bianchin are the most dominant pair in the nation, at No. 1, this season with a 19-1 record. They have won 12-straight matches and are 39-6 all-time, including 30-6 at No. 1. A quartet of pairs –
Erin Byrne/
Mariana Dal Pozzo (4-1), Dal Pozzo/
Taija Thomas (12-1), Dal Pozzo/Mariana DePaula Silva (0-1), and
Erin Byrne and
Mackenzie Walker (1-0) – have combined for a record of 17-3 at No. 5.
Estefanie Bethancourt and
Natalia Giron have also been impressive at the No. 4 position, boasting an impressive 15-4 record on the year.
Up Next
Following this weekend, the Panthers will host UAB in back-to-back dual matches on April 13-14, to close out the regular season.
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