YOUNGSVILLE, La. - Three-seed FIU beach volleyball (12-16) sets out on their journey for their first ever Conference USA Championship when they travel to Sugar Beach for the 2026 CUSA Tournament. The Panthers will face six-seed Missouri State (23-4) in the first round, with the victor moving on to face the winner of two-seed UAB and seven-seed UTEP, and the loser being sent to the Consolation bracket.

Location: Sugar Beach at Youngsville Sports Complex

TV: All matches will be streamed on ESPN+

Season Facts

• The Panthers have been successful against Conference USA opponents this season, beating Sam Houston, USF and Tulane. Their only CUSA loss of the season came against then-ranked No. 15 Florida Atlantic in the first meet of the season.

• The Panthers' best win of the season came in a 3-2 result against RV Tulane in their last meet of the season. 

• Five Panthers have played all 28 duals of the season (Kendra Brown, Isabella Pereira, Brianna Luoma, Katarina Drozd and Nicole Robison).

• Seven Panthers have won 10 or more games this season

  • Kendra Brown: 15

  • Isabella Pereira: 15

  • Katarina Drozd: 14

  • Brianna Luoma: 14

  • Nicole Robison: 12

  • Hanna Gubik: 11

  • Elizabeth Nye: 10

• Two pairs have played every contest together so far:

  • On court one, junior Katarina Drozd and sophomore Brianna Luoma have 14 wins together, beating two ranked teams in then-ranked No. 17 North Florida and No. 19 Boise State.

  • On court three, freshman Isabella Pereira and senior Kendra Brown are this season's winningest pair for FIU, winning 15 games including two wins over ranked opponents in then-ranked No. 15 Florida Atlantic and No. 13 Hawaii

The farthest the Panthers have ever made it in the CUSA Tournament is the championship round in the 2022 season. That year, the Panthers fell to No. 15 Georgia State after beating ULM, Coastal Carolina, UAB and No. 10 Florida Atlantic. FIU is trying to bounce back in the tournament after falling to two-seed Tulane in the semifinals last season.

TICKETS
For more information on FIU tickets to FIU home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit HERE. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@fiubeach) and Twitter (@FIUBeachVB) for all the latest FIU Beach Volleyball news. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUAthletics on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.