GULF SHORES, Ala. — No. 12 Stetson (27-10) fell to No. 5 Florida State (34-2) by a final score of 3-0 at the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship. Despite the result, the Hatters remained competitive, with two courts in tight contention against one of the nation's top teams.

On Court 4, Katie Camp and Anniina Muukka faced Myriah Massey and Bailey Higgins but were unable to gain momentum, falling 21-13, 21-13 as Florida State took the early lead.

In the top flight, Maria Ozaeta and Marta Carro battled Alexis Durish and Audrey Koenig, but ultimately dropped the match in straight sets, 21-13, 21-17, extending the Seminoles' advantage.

The No. 3 flight featured Julia Czurylo and Zoe Flueckiger against Kenzie Hultquist and Iane Henke. The Florida State duo secured the clinching point with a 21-17, 21-10 victory, sealing the dual. Matches on Courts 2 and 5 were left unfinished.

"It's always bittersweet. We had such a great ASUN Championship, and we all felt like we could have done more here today, but that's part of the experience—learning and growing. It's a young group, and we hope this builds some hunger in them. I thought we played well in stretches, but we had some late surges and some dips, and we just couldn't sustain it long enough. Florida State is playing really well right now, so a lot of credit to them and how consistent they were. This won't be the last you hear from this group—there's more to come. We had an incredible season, and I've been really fortunate to have this group help revive the culture of our program. It won't be the last time we're here. We'll be back, but overall an incredible season," said Head Coach Kristina Hernandez.

RESULTS 
Florida St. def. Stetson 3-0 
No. 1. Alexis Durish/Audrey Koenig (FSU) def. Maria Ozaeta/Marta Carro (STET) 21-13, 21-17 
No. 2. EJ Cudmore/Julia Radelczuk (STET) vs. Gella Andrew/Maddie Trusty (FSU) 10-21, 18-18 - Unfinished 
No. 3. Kenzie Hultquist/Iane Henke (FSU) def. Julia Czurylo/Zoe Flueckiger (STET) 21-17, 21-10 
No. 4. Myriah Massey/Bailey Higgins (FSU) def. Katie Camp/Anniina Muukka (STET) 21-13, 21-13 
No. 5. Madeline Camp/Cayla Sutton (STET) vs. Kyleene Filimaua/Saofe Duval (FSU) 14-21, 18-19 - Unfinished 
Order of finish: 4, 1, 3*
 
Stetson closes the season with a 27-10 overall record, highlighted by its eighth ASUN Championship and a return to the NCAA Championship stage. With a young and talented roster gaining valuable postseason experience, the Hatters will look to build on this momentum as they continue to establish themselves among the nation's top programs.

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About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.