Miami, Fla. – FIU Beach Volleyball will open up the season ranked No. 13 in the country in the AVCA Preseason Poll.
The Panthers ended last season ranked No. 12 after making it to the conference championship last April. Their 20-17 record awarded FIU a spot in the 2023 NCAA tournament against Florida State.
The Panthers welcome back 12 players from last season, including Giada Bianchi, Lucie Pokorna, Lisa Luini and Alice Pratesi. Senior Bianchi was a 2023 preseason all-conference winner, while graduate student Pokorna and junior Luini earned CUSA Pair of the Month during the October fall season, with Pokorna earning second-team All-American and first team all conference in 2023. Graduate Student Pratesi posted a team best 23 wins in 2023, going 9-1 with fellow returner Zuzanna Bielak.
FIU welcomes a new coaching staff led by first year head coach and second head coach in FIU Beach Volleyball's history, Terri Del Conte. The former Missouri State Volleyball star came to FIU from CUSA foe University of Alabama Birmingham, achieving a program best 17 wins in 2021 and 2022, before beating that with 18 wins in 2023 at UAB. She is joined by former WNBA player and international beach volleyball standout Kelly Raimon.
The Panthers will look to continue their past success and create a run to the NCAA tournament in this new era of FIU Beach Volleyball in the 2024 season.
UP NEXT
FIU kicks off their season at the Jacksonville Beach Invite on February 24-25. They will play the likes of Coastal Carolina, University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and Palm Beach Atlantic.
TICKETS
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SOCIAL MEDIA
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