MATCH POINT - Beach Volleyball Opens 2023 Season in DeLand - University of North Florida Athletics

Friday, February 24

DeLand, Fla.

12 p.m.

University of North Florida

FGCU

MATCH POINT - Beach Volleyball Opens 2023 Season in DeLand

2/23/2023 12:11:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

Live Stats

Ospreys Take on Two Ranked Teams

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida beach volleyball begins its 12th season in program history with a trip down to DeLand to take on a strong field that includes FGCU, Mercer, FAU and Stetson.

Three of the teams this weekend are either receiving votes or ranked in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 20.

MATCH DETAILS
Dates: Friday, Feb. 24-Saturday, Feb. 25
Times: 12 p.m. & 4 p.m. each day
Location: DeLand, Fla.
Opponents: (RV) FGCU, Mercer, #12 FAU, #15 Stetson
Live Stats: sidearmstats.com/stetson/bvball

All-Time Series:
FGCU: UNF leads the all-time series, 23-11 … this is the 24th time the two teams are playing at a neutral site location
Mercer: UNF has dominated the all-time series with Mercer, winning 22 of 24 meetings … the two teams last played each other in DeLand back in the 2021 ASUN Championship Tournament
FAU: UNF and FAU have played a neck-and-neck all-time series against one another, splitting the 14 games … UNF and FAU have never met in DeLand … the four neutral site meetings are split between the two teams
Stetson: The heated rivalry with Stetson continues with the 36th installment between the two teams … UNF and Stetson met four times last year … North Florida won the 2021 ASUN Championship April 25 with a 3-2 win against Stetson in DeLand.

Notables

UNF is entering its 12th season in program history
The Ospreys are coming off a 25-win 2022 season, the most wins in any season for the UNF beach volleyball program
North Florida's roster features six returning letterwinners
Chantel McMillan and Hayden Wooldridge were tabbed as All-ASUN Preseason honorees
McMillan returns with 44 career wins, the most by any active Osprey
North Florida lost a strong contingent of Ospreys from a year ago with the departure of names such as Taryn Griffey, Callie Workman, Carleigh Semeniuk, Lauren Galinis, Marisa Rogers, Leah Maloney, Gabby O'Connell, Julianna Askew and Maddie Norris
UNF expects to get a lift from some new names, many of which have previous collegiate experience. Transfer Audrey Brooks, Iris Fletcher, Michaela Rezentes and Emily Guenter all have previous collegiate experience
Doug Wright is in his second season as the head coach of the UNF beach volleyball program, while he is in his sixth season overall
UNF is 90-56 during his tenure, including his time as a volunteer assistant coach
UNF's roster features newcomers in Katie Camp, Mikayla Benanti, Iris Fletcher, Audrey Brooks, Kelly McConekey, Michaela Rezentes, Madison Espy, Lauren Mohler, Mackenzie Murphy, Emily Guenter and Presley Murray
Madeline Camp posted a team-best 26 wins last year. She is joined by sister, Katie Camp, on the 2023 team

Scouting Report

FGCU: FGCU's Maddison Parmelly and Shelby Beisner were named to the ASUN Preseason All-Conference squad … the Eagles had one of their best seasons in program history a year ago, going 29-9 and 11-1 in league play … FGCU finished as the ASUN runner-up, falling to Stetson in the championship match … Chris Sweat is in his fourth season as the head coach and ninth season overall … FGCU was receiving votes in the preseason AVCA poll.
Mercer: Mercer went 7-27 a year ago … head coach Josh Marsh took over the program in 2019 … Mercer will be familiar to UNF foes by the end of the season as the Bears make two regular season trips to The Coop.
FAU: FAU enters the weekend as the highest-ranked team in the field at No. 12 in the polls … FAU is coming off its best year to date, winning 23 matches and earning the No. 8 seed in the NCAA Championship … FAU's Jillienne Cangelosi was named a finalist for the Palm Beach County Sports Commission's (PBCSC) Amateur Athlete of the Year award.
Stetson: The Hatters enter the 2023 season as reigning ASUN Champions … Stetson went 23-17 last year, earning a trip to Gulf Shores before falling to UCLA, 3-2 … the Hatters bring a strong contingent back, including eight starters … Stetson sent two pairs to the AVCA Pairs National Championship in Huntsville, Ala., this past fall.