FAU Invitational Comes to a Close

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – The University of Tampa beach volleyball team wrapped up play at the FAU Invitational on Sunday, falling to No. 7 Florida State University and No. 13 Florida Atlantic University at Pompano Beach Pier.

How It Happened – #7 Florida State

The Spartans opened the day against No. 7 Florida State, where the Seminoles secured a 5-0 victory.

Florida State struck first at the No. 6 flight as Kyleene Filimaua and Elena Lam defeated Reese Haley and Maddie Wood in straight sets, 21-11, 21-15.

At the top court, Alexis Durish and Audrey Koenig extended the Seminoles' lead with a 21-16, 21-13 win over Tess Schrenger and Angel Williams.

Florida State clinched the dual at the No. 3 flight when Audrey Rothman and Saofe Duval defeated Kaelyn Fredette-Huffman and Hailey Peterson 21-19, 21-16.

The Seminoles continued their momentum at the remaining courts. Kenzie Hultquist and Iane Henke earned a 21-13, 21-14 win over Anna Bayes and Lauren Duke at the No. 4 position, while Gella Andrew and Maddie Trusty closed the match with a 21-17, 21-18 victory over Nevaeh Wolfe and Hailey Wolfe at No. 2.

The closest contest came at the No. 5 flight, where Myriah Massey and Bailey Higgins battled past Sammie Ostrander and Brooke Green in three sets, 21-23, 21-13, 15-6.

How It Happened – #13 Florida Atlantic

Tampa returned to the sand in the afternoon to face No. 13 Florida Atlantic, where the Owls claimed the 4-0 victory.

Florida Atlantic earned the first point at the No. 2 flight as Olivia Strandberg and Ava Koehl edged Schrenger and Williams in a tightly contested match, 21-18, 21-19.

The Owls added another point at the No. 3 court when Klaire VanDeusen and Mia Scanlon defeated Fredette-Huffman and Peterson in straight sets, 21-19, 22-20.

At the No. 1 position, Denisse Morgenstern and Shantel Starling secured the dual-clinching point with a 21-19, 21-18 victory over Nevaeh Wolfe and Hailey Wolfe.

Florida Atlantic later extended the lead to four with a 21-11, 21-17 win at No. 4 from Reese Edwards and Kendall Mignerey over Logan Martin and Jordan Berglin.

The No. 5 and No. 6 flights were unfinished at the time the match was decided.

Up Next

Tampa will look to regroup as the Spartans return to action next week in Tampa, March 18 at 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., versus Nebraska and PBA.