Miami Beach, Fla.– The 14^th ranked FIU beach volleyball team (6-2) will be hosting its annual Surf N' Turf Invitational from March 17-18 at Lummus Park, 8th street and Ocean Drive, in Miami Beach. The event is free and open to the public with matches beginning at 8 am ET.
 
In day one of the tournament, the Panthers will face Florida Gulf Coast, No. 1 TCU, and the University of Tampa. Day two will feature FIU playing No.2 USC and No. 15 Florida Atlantic.
 
The event will feature 10 schools including four that are currently in the top 20 AVCA poll:  
 University of Southern California- No. 2
Texas Christian University- No. 1
Florida Atlantic University- No. 15
Florida International University- No.14
Florida Gulf Coast University- (RV)
Palm Beach Atlantic University
University of Tampa
Jacksonville University
University of North Florida
Erskine College

Friday, Mar. 17 vs FGCU (5-5, 3-1 ASUN)

• Time / Location: 8:20 a.m. ET/ Miami Beach, Fla.
• Site: Lummus Park Beach Volleyball Courts
• Series History: FIU leads 8-0

Friday, Mar. 17 vs No.1 TCU (12-0, 3-0 Big 12)

• Time / Location: 12:20 p.m. ET/ Miami Beach, Fla.
• Site: Lummus Park Beach Volleyball Courts
• Series History: TCU leads 4-2

Friday, Mar. 17 vs UT (5-8, 0-0 SSC)

• Time / Location: 5:20 p.m. ET/ Miami Beach, Fla.
• Site: Lummus Park Beach Volleyball Courts
• Series History: FIU leads 3-0

Saturday, Mar. 18 vs No.2 USC (10-0, 0-0 PAC12)

• Time / Location: 11:20 a.m. ET/ Miami Beach, Fla.
• Site: Lummus Park Beach Volleyball Courts
• Series History: USC leads 7-0

Saturday, Mar. 18 vs No.15 FAU (7-5, 0-0 CUSA)

• Time / Location: 2:20 p.m. ET/ Miami Beach, Fla.
• Site: Lummus Park Beach Volleyball Courts
• Series History: FIU leads 18-4

 
The Panthers (6-2, 0-0 C-USA) are coming off a sweep at the Sailfish Tri-Match after winning 3-2 over Palm Beach Atlantic University and 5-0 against Florida Southern College. FIU has now won four straight matches.
 
Graduate students Rachele Mancinelli and Milica Vukobrat made their season debut in court 2 and came out victorious winning 21-14, 21-17 against PBA.
 
In court three, Roberta Ribeiro was paired with Zuzanna Bielak for the first time this season and won in straight sets, 21-14, 21-15. Lisa Luini and Emily Meyer have been paired in court 4 all season and they sealed the match for FIU against the Sailfish winning in the third and final set.

A few lineup changes were made prior to the Panthers' contest against FSC. Rachele Mancinelli and Milica Vukobrat moved to court one and still remain undefeated as a pair this season, while Giada Bianchi and Alice Pratesi moved to court two.
 
Lisa Luini moved up to court three to pair with Zuzanna Bielak and switched spots with Roberta Ribeiro who paired with Emily Meyer in court four. Emma Braticevic and Kendra Brown made their season debuts in court five.

For this weekend's tournament, senior Lucie Pokorna will be out with an upper extremity injury. Last time the Panthers were in action, sophomore transfer, Madison Horton paired with Athina Dimitriadis in court five against PBA and took Pokorna's spot in the starting lineup but no official move has been announced for tomorrow. The starting pairs will be announced 30 minutes prior to first serve.
 
For further information, contact Dave Scott, Assistant Athletic Director Game Management and Operations at (305) 348-1043 or dscott@fiu.edu.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will be back on the road next weekend to compete in the TCU Tournament- "Fight in the Fort" from March 24-25. On the first day of the event, the Panthers will play Grand Canyon University at 9:30 am ET and then the host, TCU at 3:30 p.m. ET. In day two, FIU will take on Missouri State University at 7:00 am ET and the University of California at 11:00 am ET.

SOCIAL MEDIA 
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