Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com
Flying High: Beach Volleyball Season Recap
4/23/2020 12:07:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The 2020 Florida Atlantic University beach volleyball team was off to one of the best starts in program history, owning an 11-1 record when the season ended to concerns over the COVID-19 virus. Â
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The Sandy Owls began the year at the UNF Beach Invitational, where they swept Mercer before suffering what proved to be their only loss of the season, a narrow 3-2 setback to then-10th-ranked FIU. FAU swept No. 18 Georgia State and beat the host Ospreys 3-2 to finish the opening weekend 3-1.
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The following weekend at the Stetson Spring Fling, FAU recorded another win over Georgia State and defeated the seventh-ranked Hatters in addition to sweeps over St. Leo and St. Petersburg.
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Up next was Eckerd's Battle at the Bay tournament, where the Sandy Owls swept three of their four opponents as they went 4-0 in what proved to be the final weekend of the season, as COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the remainder of FAU's schedule.
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Despite the premature end to the season, there were still plenty of notable accomplishments for the Sandy Owls. The team of senior Sam Gott and sophomore Jillenne Cangelosi led the squad with an 11-1 record. Juniors Erica Brok and Mackenzie Morris added to their school record, ending the year with 53 career wins. FAU ended the season ranked 10th in the DiG Magazine poll and 12th in the AVCA poll, its highest ranking ever in both polls.
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"The amount of effort and focus put in by the team was awesome," said head coach Capri Grotowski. "It was a huge disappointment when the season ended early, but we are excited to improve on the lessons we learned and make 2021 our best season yet."
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The Sandy Owls began the year at the UNF Beach Invitational, where they swept Mercer before suffering what proved to be their only loss of the season, a narrow 3-2 setback to then-10th-ranked FIU. FAU swept No. 18 Georgia State and beat the host Ospreys 3-2 to finish the opening weekend 3-1.
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The following weekend at the Stetson Spring Fling, FAU recorded another win over Georgia State and defeated the seventh-ranked Hatters in addition to sweeps over St. Leo and St. Petersburg.
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Up next was Eckerd's Battle at the Bay tournament, where the Sandy Owls swept three of their four opponents as they went 4-0 in what proved to be the final weekend of the season, as COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the remainder of FAU's schedule.
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Despite the premature end to the season, there were still plenty of notable accomplishments for the Sandy Owls. The team of senior Sam Gott and sophomore Jillenne Cangelosi led the squad with an 11-1 record. Juniors Erica Brok and Mackenzie Morris added to their school record, ending the year with 53 career wins. FAU ended the season ranked 10th in the DiG Magazine poll and 12th in the AVCA poll, its highest ranking ever in both polls.
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"The amount of effort and focus put in by the team was awesome," said head coach Capri Grotowski. "It was a huge disappointment when the season ended early, but we are excited to improve on the lessons we learned and make 2021 our best season yet."
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Players Mentioned
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
Friday, May 15
Tuesday, May 12
Tuesday, May 05
Thursday, April 23