Women’s Beach Volleyball | March 18, 2023
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – The No. 2-ranked USC beach volleyball team (12-1) collected a 3-2 victory over tournament host No. 14 Florida International (7-5) in the Trojans’ third dual at the Surf & Turf Invitational on South Beach on Saturday, March 18.
USC scored three dual points before FIU won at the Nos. 3 and 5 positions to make it a 3-2 final. All matches were straight-set results.
At the No. 4 position, freshman Delaney Karl and graduate Ashlyn Rasnick-Pope got things started with a 21-18, 21-11 win over Serah O’Keefe and Chloe Zacca. The Trojans went up, 2-0, with a win by graduate Madison Shields and freshman Madison White against Zuzanna Bielak and Roberta Ribeiro, 21-17, 21-18.
The clinching point came from the top court where twin seniors Audrey Nourse and Nicole Nourse improved to 72-13 all-time with a 21-15, 21-14 win over Rachele Mancinelli and Milica Vukobrat. The twins’ 85 matches played together now rank tied for third among all-time USC pairs (Sophie Bukovec-Alexa Strange, 2015-16). They also become the second and third Trojans in program history to have played matches at all five positions in the lineup, joining Haley Hallgren (2018-21) and Nicolette Martin (2014-17).
With the dual decided, Florida International scored its two dual points with wins at the third and fifth positions. At three, junior Delaynie Maple and freshman Gabby Walker lost to Giada Bianchi and Lisa Luini, 21-18, 21-17. And at pair five, FIU’s Emily Meyer and Alice Pratesi defeated USC’s duo of graduate Jenna Johnson and freshman Mabyn Thomas, 24-22, 21-17.
The Trojans conclude play at the Surf & Turf Invitational with a matchup against North Florida at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT).
For more information on the USC beach volleyball team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com/beach. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @USCBeach.
No. 2 USC def. No. 14 Florida International, 3-2
Surf & Turf Invitational
South Beach · Miami Beach, Fla.
Saturday, March 18, 2023
RECORDS: USC (12-1), Florida International (7-5)
1. Audrey NOURSE/Nicole NOURSE (USC) def. Rachele MANCINELLI/Milica VUKOBRAT (FIU); 21-15, 21-14
2. Madison SHIELDS/Madison WHITE (USC) def. Zuzanna…
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