ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (March 4, 2016) – The No. 11-ranked FIU beach volleyball team (3-1, 1-1 in CCSA) fell to conference rival South Carolina, 3-2, but swept host team, North Florida, 5-0, in day one of the UNF Beach Invitational at the St. Augustine Pier in St. Augustine, Florida.
FIU began the day with a 2-0 lead from pairs four and five, gaining the lead over the Gamecocks. No. 5 pair Taija Thomas and Margherita Bianchin finished first, and claimed their third consecutive win of the weekend (21-18, 21-18). The No. 4 pair Anabela Sataric and Estefanie Bethancourt outlasted USC in three sets (16-21, 21-12,15-13) putting the Panthers ahead.