HUNTSVILLE, Alabama (April 23, 2021) - No. 12 FIU battled ULM and No. 14 Florida Atlantic as a part of the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Beach Volleyball Championship on Friday. The Panthers took down sixth-seeded ULM 4-1 before defeating second-seeded FAU 3-2.

Three Panther pairs went undefeated during the first day of competition. Ali Denney and Lina Bernier took down the War Hawks 21-16, 21-8 and the Owls 21-13, 22-20 on court two. Playing on court three, Abbie Hughes and CCSA All-Freshman Team honoree Paige Kalkhoff picked up a 21-9, 21-11 victory over ULM while defeating FAU 21-10, 21-11. Giada Bianchi and Rachele Mancinelli dominated on court five, taking home the 21-15, 21-12 victory against ULM and the 21-15, 22-24, 15-12 win over rival Florida Atlantic.

With the victories, FIU advanced on the winner's side of the blue bracket. The squad faces No. 19 Georgia State on Saturday, April 24, at 1 p.m. ET.

#12 FIU 4, ULM 1

1. Brooks, Audrey/Blazek, Julia (ULM) def. RIBEIRO, Roberta/FRASCA, Federica (FIU) 14-21, 21-19, 15-13
2. BERNIER, Lina/DENNEY, Ali (FIU) def. McKay, Katie/Gallant, Kayla (ULM) 21-16, 21-8
3. HUGHES, Abbie/KALKHOFF, Paige (FIU) def. Elder, Abigail/Gosen, Ina (ULM) 21-9, 21-11
4. ERTELTOVA, Emma/LIPSCOMB, Gina (FIU) def. Demmer, Anna/Ponthieux, Holland (ULM) 21-17, 21-13
5. MANCINELLI, Rachele/BIANCHI, Giada (FIU) def. Hoven, Brooke/Moreland, Elizabeth (ULM) 21-15, 21-12

#12 FIU 3, #14 Florida Atlantic 2

1. Mackenzie Morris/Erica Brok (FAU) def. FRASCA, Federica/RIBEIRO, Roberta (FIU) 21-15, 21-16
2. DENNEY, Ali/BERNIER, Lina (FIU) def. Ellie Austin/Kenley Adams (FAU) 21-13, 22-20
3. HUGHES, Abbie/KALKHOFF, Paige (FIU) def. Kaila Dorish/Jillenne Cangelosi (FAU) 21-10, 21-11
4. Maylin Bouffard/Savannah Pesante (FAU) def. ERTELTOVA, Emma/LIPSCOMB, Gina (FIU) 21-15, 21-18
5. BIANCHI, Giada/MANCINELLI, Rachele (FIU) def. Courtney Moon/Abby Jackson (FAU) 21-15, 22-24, 15-12