The Basics
- The No. 7 FIU beach volleyball team dominated its two duals on Saturday, at the FAU Beach Bash in Boca Raton. The Panthers defeated Tampa 4-1 in the first contest of the day at Florida Atlantic's Beach Courts and closed out the afternoon with a decisive 5-0 win over North Alabama. The wins improve FIU to 8-5 on the season, and winners of three of its last four duals.
Dual One Details
FIU 4, Tampa 1
FIU (7-5), Tampa (8-6)
Rankings: FIU – ACVA No. 8/DiG No. 7, Tampa – ACVA NR/DiG NR
Boca Raton, Florida | Florida Atlantic University Beach Courts
- The Panthers split the first two duals against Tampa, with
Lina Bernier (San Juan, Puerto, Rico) and
Erika Zembyla (Nicosia, Cyprus) taking the first contest of the morning, 21-12, 21-19, on court five. After FIU dropped court four, 21-14, 16-21, 15-9, the blue and gold won the final three duals with
Federica Frasca (Rome, Italy) and
Margherita Bianchin (Venice, Italy) securing the dual victory on court one, 21-15, 21-15.
- FIU dominated the Spartans as Tampa came in with a seven-dual winning streak and winners of eight of last nine. It was the first-ever meeting between the Panthers and Spartans.
Results
No. 1
Federica Frasca/
Margherita Bianchin (FIU) def. Rachel Rosequist/Julia Oswald (UT) 21-15, 21-15
No. 2
Helene Thelle/
Dorina Klinger (FIU) def. Lexi Thompson/Valerie Rosequist (UT) 21-8, 21-17
No. 3
Ali Denney/
Abbie Hughes (FIU) def. Sorrel Houghton/Katie McKiel (UT) 21-19, 21-19
No. 4 Melissa Elias/Selina Pfuner (UT) def.
Mariana Dal Pozzo/
Katie Friesen (FIU) 21-14, 16-21, 15-9
No. 5
Lina Bernier/
Erika Zembyla (FIU) def. Jordan Duffy/Erica Haslag (UT) 21-12, 21-19
Ext.
Madison Besterfield/
Nina Petranovic (FIU) def. Scottie Johnson/Caroline Pomet (UT) 10-21, 21-10, 15-13
Order of finish: 5, 4, 2, 1, 3
Dual Two Details
FIU 5, North Alabama 0
FIU (8-5), North Alabama (3-5)
Rankings: FIU – ACVA No. 8/DiG No. 7, North Alabama – ACVA NR/DiG NR
Boca Raton, Florida | Florida Atlantic University Beach Courts
- The Panthers dominated North Alabama in their second and final dual of the day at the FAU Beach Bash. Just one of the five match-ups went to a third set, with that coming on court one.
Federica Frasca and
Margherita Bianchin eventually pulled out the dual after splitting the first two sets, 21-13, 15-21. The Italian duo took the third, 15-8.
- The tandem of
Helene Thelle (Tolvsrød, Norway) and
Dorina Klinger (Feldkirchen, Austria) won their second dual of the day, after never playing before competitively for the Panthers. They took court three in straight sets, 21-15, 21-7.
Results
No. 1
Federica Frasca/
Margherita Bianchin (FIU) def. Paula Klemperer/Sophia Brandstetter (UNA) 21-13, 15-21, 15-8
No. 2
Ali Denney/
Abbie Hughes (FIU) def. Ashtyn Kapovich/Joise Maldonado (UNA) 21-7, 21-9
No. 3
Helene Thelle/
Dorina Klinger (FIU) def. Catie Ladner/Sina Faulk (UNA) 21-15, 21-7
No. 4
Lina Bernier/
Erika Zembyla (FIU) def. Ava Carnley/Libby Jump (UNA) 21-11, 21-16
No. 5
Madison Besterfield/
Katie Friesen Ana Gabriela Pacheco/Genesis Benitez (UNA) 21-10, 21-18
Up Next
The Panthers now host their second, and final, event of the season, the prestigious FIU Surf 'N' Turf Invitational, March 29-30 on South Beach. Click
here for complete Surf 'N' Turf Invitational Tournament Central, including schedule.
Social Media
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUVolleyball) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUVolleyball) for all the latest FIU volleyball news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Google (FIU Athletics), Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers) , and Instagram (FIUathletics).
