UNF Invitational Returns to Jacksonville Beach This Weekend

Friday, March 1

Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

9 a.m.

University of North Florida

Saint Leo

Preview graphic highlighting the UNF Invitational at Jacksonville Beach. Features graphics and logos along with a team shot of the beach volleyball team.

2/28/2019 11:00:00 AM | Beach Volleyball

Ospreys Host Saint Leo, Charleston and UNC - Wilmington

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The UNF Invitational returns to Jacksonville Beach for the first time since 2013 when the Ospreys host Saint Leo, the College of Charleston and UNC - Wilmington. Teams will play dual matches Friday while Saturday will feature a pairs tournament. Action will start at 9 a.m. both days.

Live stats will be offered for dual matches in which UNF is competing.

UNF Invitational Information
Who: UNF, Saint Leo, UNC - Wilmington, Charleston
What: UNF Beach Invitational and Pairs Tournament
When: March 1-2 | 9 a.m. start both days
Where: 239 1st Street North Jacksonville Beach, Fla. 32250 -- Admission: Free

Dual Match Lineup - Friday, March 1 (All Times EST | RV = Receiving Votes)

Start Time	Teams
9 a.m.	UNF (RV) vs. Saint Leo
10:30 a.m.	UNC - Wilmington vs. Charleston (RV)
12 p.m.	UNF (RV) vs. UNC - Wilmington
1:30 p.m.	Charleston (RV) vs. Saint Leo
3 p.m.	UNF (RV) vs. Charleston (RV)
4:30 p.m.	UNC - Wilmington vs. Saint Leo

Matches will be played 4-6, 3-1
Play will commence on courts labeled 2-4 for duals on Friday.
The first court will be utilized as a warm-up court.

Pairs Tournament

Event starts at 9 a.m. Saturday.
The tournament will consist of three different flights based on the team's lineup.
Flight 1: Comprised of 1's and 2's (eight teams)
Flight 2: Comprised of 3's and 4's (eight teams)
Flight 3: Comprised of 5's and 6's (14 teams)
There will be a crossover seeding round, with each team playing three games vs. different teams. Games will be one set to 21.
The seeding round will be followed by a single elimination bracket - one game to 28. (Seeding tiebreaks will be decided by point differential).

Last Time Out:
BOCA RATON, Fla. - North Florida beach volleyball opened its slate with a pair of victories including a thrilling upset of No. 19 TCU in the second match of the day on day one of Paradise at the Burrow. UNF would go on to split day two on the weekend, falling to FAU before sweeping Webber.

Receiving Votes:

UNF received votes for the top 20 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll announced February 25.

Getting Familiar

The Ospreys' roster is 20 deep this season, featuring two in Taryn Griffey and Chaney Howard that received ASUN postseason honors a year ago.
The duo went 17-13 as a duo last season at the number two slot. Nicole DeBolt and Madilyn McCarty both return after going 15-7 as a pair at number five.
Brittany Pase won seven of eight matches during a critical point in the league year to help propel the Ospreys to the ASUN final.
Howard made the ASUN First Team in 2018 and was recognized as ASUN Pair of the Week with partner Taryn Griffey in 2018.
Nicole DeBolt finished with a 20-10 mark playing mainly at the No. 4 position with Madilyn McCarty, and picked up 16 straight set victories.
Howard was recognized as a member of the ASUN Preseason All-Conference Team. She was also the Fan-Voted Preseason Player of the Year
The Ospreys have 5 freshman on the squad this 2019 season.

A Tough Schedule
The AVCA Collegiate Beach Volleyball Preseason Poll was announced Monday, Feb. 11, and included on that list of teams at least receiving votes are 12 teams set to play North Florida this upcoming season.

Ranked Opponents on UNF's Schedule
No. 7 LSU - March 22 in Baton Rouge, La.
No. 13 Georgia State - March 23 in Baton Rouge, La.
No. 14 Arizona - March 16 in Tucson, Ariz.
No. 16 Grand Canyon - March 14 in Phoenix, Ariz.
No. 17 Stetson - April 5/6 in Macon, Ga.
No. 18 Tulane - March 24 in Baton Rouge, La.
No. 19 TCU - Feb. 22 in Boca Raton, Fla.
No. 20 FAU - Feb. 23 in Boca Raton, Fla.

Receiving Votes
Charleston - March 1 in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
ASU - March 15 in Tucson, Ariz.
New Mexico - March 15 in Tucson, Ariz.
FGCU - April 11 in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

Scouting the Opponents
Series History:
vs. Saint Leo | First meeting
vs. UNC - Wilmington | UNF leads, 3-1
vs. RV Charleston | UNF lead, 4-3

Saint Leo:

Division II Saint Leo comes into the weekend 1-3.
The Lions picked up a 4-1 win against Eckerd while being swept by No. 10 FIU, No. 17 Stetson and No. 13 Georgia State in DeLand, Fla.
Saint Leo went 5-10 in its inaugural season last year.
The 2019 Lions have seven newcomers and three returners.

UNC - Wilmington:

The Seahawks open their 2019 season this weekend.
UNC - Wilmington went 12-16 last year. UNF picked up a 4-1 win against the Seahawks in Wilmington March 31.
This is the Seahawks' fourth season as a varsity program.

Charleston (RV)

Charleston is currently receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches Poll.
The matches this weekend will be the first for the Cougars in 2019.
CofC went 16-11 last season in its seventh year as a program.
The Cougars picked up four wins against ranked teams and also earned a sweep of the Ospreys.