Gulf Shores, Ala. -- Stetson's Julie Bassett and Kaley Melville dropped a hard fought 21-18, 21-14 decision to USC's Sophie Bukovec and Alexa Strange in the AVCA Pairs Championship Round of 16 Sunday morning on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Bassett and Melville competed as the No. 8 seed for the 16-team single elimination bracket that concluded a sun-soaked weekend at the AVCA Sand Volleyball Collegiate Championships.

"I felt like we played really tough," Stetson head coach Kristina Hernandez said.  "When you play great teams like USC, it just comes down to a few points here and there.  We just got stuck in one little rut on serve receive, and that was the difference.  However, to be that competitive and have it come down to a few points, it is not a bad way to end.  We competed, and we played tough.  That is all you can ask for."

Bassett and Melville posted a 24-4 record in dual matches at the No. 1 seed for Stetson this season.  They were named Atlantic Sun Pair of the Year, A-Sun Championship Pair of the Tournament, and they were twice named the Atlantic Sun Pair of the Week.

"I think Mel and Julie have had a phenomenal year, absolutely extraordinary," Hernandez said.  "They should be proud of everything they have done and helping lead our team.  It has been an amazing year for them."

Stetson (22-6) finished its season with a school-record 22 wins, an Atlantic Sun regular season and conference championship, a second straight appearance in the AVCA Championships, and its first-ever AVCA postseason win.