FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After a dominant three days in Fort Lauderdale, the No. 15-ranked and No. 2-seeded Florida Atlantic beach volleyball team (19-13, 1-1 C-USA) completed their mission, defeating rival and No. 1-seed FIU (20-16, 1-1 C-USA) 3-0 to capture the program’s first-ever Conference USA Championship and second conference title in program history.
With the win, the Sandy Owls earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. Florida Atlantic’s opponent will be announced during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday, April 30 at 11 a.m. on NCAA.com.
NO. 2 FAU 3 – NO. 1 FIU 0
Ashleigh Adams and Emma Grace Robertson earned their fifth win of the season, securing the Sandy Owls first point of the day with a two-set win over the Panthers’ Zuzanna Bielak and Alice Pratesi, 21-17, 21-12. Courtney Moon and Marketa Svozilova extended the Sandy Owls’ lead to 2-0 after a dominant two-set win over FIU’s Giada Bianchi and Lisa Luini, 21-14, 21-16. The Sandy Owls final point came from none other than Florida Atlantic’s one pair of Jillienne Cloud and Julie Honzovicova, who clinched the Sandy Owls’ championship off an ace from Jill to close out the 21-16, 21-18 two-setter and capture the 2023 C-USA Championship.
Scores
1. Jillienne Cloud/Julie Honzovicova (FAU) def. Milica Vukobrat/Lucie Pokorna (FIU) 21-16, 21-18 (finished third)
2. Ellie Austin/Christine Jarman (FAU) vs. Rachele Mancinelli/Roberta Ribeiro (FIU) 21-16 (unfinished)
3. Courtney Moon/Marketa Svozilova (FAU) def. Giada Bianchi/Lisa Luini (FIU) 21-14, 21-16 (finished second)
4. Emma Grace Robertson/Ashleigh Adams (FAU) def. Zuzanna Bielak/Alice Pratesi (FIU) 21-17, 21-12 (finished first)
5. Logan Mignerey/Stephanie Young (FAU) vs. Emily Meyer/Kendra Brown (FIU) 21-18 (unfinished)
NOTABLES
- Florida Atlantic’s 3-0 championship win marks the program’s first-ever Conference USA Championship and the program’s second all-time conference championship.
- The No. 2 Florida Atlantic’s impressive 3-0 win over No. 1 FIU extends the Sandy Owls season record to an astounding 19-13.
- Julie Honzovicova and Jillienne Cloud extended their team-leading unbeaten season mark to an incredible 9-0.
- Courtney Moon and Marketa Svozilova improved their season record to 7-1 with their two-set win on court three.
- Ashleigh Adams and Emma Grace Robertson improved their season mark to 5-3 with a two-set victory over the Panthers.
UP NEXT
The Sandy Owls will now wait to hear their name called during the 2023 NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, April 30 at 11 a.m. on NCAA.com.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
For updates, follow @FAUBeachVB on Twitter and Instagram, or like FAU Beach Volleyball on Facebook.
