Beach Volleyball to Make Debut in Postseason Play

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss (11-18, 0-8 CCSA) beach volleyball program will head to Emerson, Ga., to partake in its first CCSA Tournament. The Golden Eagles will open the 12-team tournament on Friday morning against top-seeded Florida State (23-5, 13-1 CCSA). Joining the Golden Eagles and Seminoles in Pool I is College of Charleston (18-2, 2-1 CCSA), who are the eight seed. 

As of recent, Madison Lawler and Jessica Austin have been the hottest duo in the sand for Southern Miss. The two have won their last four matches, three of which have been in two sets. However, in a sweep of William Carey, Cyan Blackdeer and Olivia Hepworth did something very few pairs have ever accomplished. That feat -- a 21-0 shutout at the fourth pairing -- was the first time in Southern Miss history that a pair had shutout an opponent. 

Florida State is in the midst of its third consecutive 20-win season and is No. 3 in the AVCA Coaches Poll. The Seminoles are paced by two-time CCSA Pair the Week honorees Alaina Chacon and Madison Fitzpatrick. The two have an overall record of 19-9 and a 10-4 record at the top pairing. 

The Cougars head to the CCSA tournament with an 18-2 record and 4-1 conference record. College of Charleston is riding a four-game winning streak with wins over Missouri State, UNCW, Tulane and No. 11 South Carolina. 

Southern Miss is just one of four Division I Beach Volleyball programs to record at least 11 wins in its inaugural season. 

The Golden Eagles will kick things off at 9 a.m. on Friday at the LakePoint Sports Complex. Admission to the complex is free, but a $5 parking fee is required. 

Championship Rankings
1. Florida State
2. LSU
3. Florida International
4. South Carolina
5. Georgia State
6. Florida Atlantic
7. TCU
8. College of Charleston
9. Tulane
10. UAB
11. UNCW
12. Southern Mississippi

Group 1: #1 Florida State, #8 College of Charleston, #12 Southern Mississippi
Group 2: #2 LSU, #7 TCU, #11 UNCW 
Group 3: #3 FIU, #6 FAU, #10 UAB
Group 4: #4 South Carolina, #5 Georgia State, #9 Tulane

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