Riding a wave of momentum into the final weekend of the regular season, the No. 20 Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) beach volleyball team will take on a competitive field at the Palmetto Invitational, hosted by South Carolina this Friday and Saturday.
The Eagles (18-10) cracked the AVCA Top 20 for the first time this season earlier this week, thanks to a red-hot stretch that included back-to-back victories over then-No. 15 Florida Atlantic to claim the Capri Championship in Boca Raton. FGCU now holds three ranked wins on the season, including a 4-1 upset over No. 14 FIU at its inaugural home tournament.
FGCU has played a tough schedule throughout the 2025 campaign, facing 10 ranked opponents. Though the Eagles are 3-7 in those matches, five of those losses have come by narrow 3-2 margins, including against national powers No. 4 USC and No. 8 LSU.
This weekend presents another opportunity to flip those close calls into marquee wins, as the Eagles prepare to rematch No. 15 Georgia State and South Carolina, the tournament host. FGCU fell 3-2 to the Gamecocks in their first meeting on March 7 when South Carolina was receiving votes. A win this time around could bolster FGCU’s postseason outlook.
Palmetto Invitational Schedule:
Friday, April 18
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- 11:00 AM – FGCU vs. South Carolina
- 3:00 PM – FGCU vs. Jacksonville (ASUN matchup)
Saturday, April 19
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- 9:00 AM – FGCU vs. No. 15 Georgia State
- 11:00 AM – FGCU vs. Coastal Carolina
FGCU will look to finish strong and potentially climb higher in the national rankings heading into the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, where the Eagles hope to secure their NCAA Tournament berth.
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