Pompano Beach, Fla. – Stetson beach volleyball split their matches on the first day of the FAU Beach Invitational, starting with a 3-2 victory over Tampa before falling 3-2 to #20 Georgia State.

In the opening match against Tampa, Vanessa Hurnikova and Hanna Gubik secured the first point for Stetson on court 5 with a 21-16, 21-15 win. Julia Czurylo and Madeline Camp followed with a 21-18, 21-13 victory on court 4. Marta Carro and Julia Radelczuk clinched the win for the Hatters on court 3, taking their match 21-16, 21-19.

Youna Coens and Grace Goudy fell on court 2, 20-22, 14-21, while Katie Camp and Maria Ozaeta dropped their point on court 1, 20-22, 18-21.

In the afternoon match against #20 Georgia State, Stetson trailed 1-0 before Czurylo and M. Camp tied the match at 1-1 with a 21-14, 21-19 win on court 4. Carro and Radelczuk gave Stetson a 2-1 lead with a thrilling 21-16, 8-21, 15-13 victory on court 3.

Unfortunately, Hurnikova and Gubik lost 14-21, 17-21 on court 5, and K. Camp Ozaeta fell 18-21, 17-21 on court 1. Coens and Goudy dropped a hard-fought three-set match on court 2, 21-17, 19-21, 13-15.

The Hatters will return to action on Day 2 of the tournament, facing #3 TCU at 8:00 a.m. and #4 USC at 3:30 p.m.