MIAMI, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic beach volleyball team headed to south beach to compete in a high-level tournament that features multiple nationally-ranked opponents. The Sailfish defeated Florida Memorial 5-0 in between two defeats against No. 19 ranked FIU and North Florida. The Sailfish are 10-5 on the year with all five defeats coming against DI opponents.

Match 1: PBA - 0, #19 FIU - 5 

The Sailfish started their day against one of the toughest opponents they will face this season in the FIU Panthers. The 'Fish pushed two matches to three sets but ultimately fell in all five matches against the ranked Panthers. For the first time this season, PBA's top pair of Jazz Schmidt and Lunden Evans fell in straight sets, 21-16 and 21-18. Their only prior defeat this season came against No. 12 ranked FAU that went three close sets. Lydzey Minter and Abby DeVido got off to a strong start, taking the opening set at the No. 2 position 21-15. However, after the opening set, the Panthers came back to win the second 21-18 and the third 15-13. Gabriella Aziz and Abigail Mason also took a dominant opening set 21-13 at the No. 3 position, but they were also unable to pull out the close second or third sets falling to the FIU pair 24-22 and 15-11. Bailey Myott and Emma Vann fell 21-10, 21-15 at the No. 4 position, and Karla Cantero and Lorrayne Silva dropped the No. 5 match 21-9, 21-18.

Match 2: PBA - 4, FMU - 0

After dropping their opening match, the Sailfish cruised to a win over Florida Memorial. Schmidt and Evans recovered to win easily 21-10, 21-7 while DeVido and Minter won 21-8, 21-7. The Lions failed to have a No. 3 side due to injury, but the Sailfish finished off the Lions by winning at the No. 4 and No. 5 positions. Aziz and Mason won their match 21-12, 21-3 and Cantero teamed up with Olivia Finckel to win 21-15, 21-17 in their match. 

Match 3: PBA - 2, UNF - 3

In their last match of the day, PBA faced a North Florida side who had been receiving votes in the AVCA poll throughout the year. The 'Fish found success at the top of their lineup as both top pairs were able to win three-set matches. Schmidt and Evans improved to 13-2 on the year as they won 21-17, 19-21, and 16-14 in the extended third set. DeVido and Minter are now 11-4 after their match where they came out on top after dropping the first set 14-21 they came back to win the final two 22-20 and 17-15. Unfortunately, the Sailfish were unable to find a third point to win the match as Aziz and Mason fell at No. 3 21-16, 21-14 and Myott and Vann lost 21-14, 21-13. The closest chance came at No. 5 where Cantero and Julia Golichowski captured the opening set 21-14 but went down in two closes sets 21-19 and 15-13.

It is a busy week for the Sailfish as they will return to action this weekend. They will travel to Deland to face North Alabama on Friday and will look to come out on the right end of a rematch against North Florida. PBA will then face an FGCU side who is receiving votes and No. 17 ranked Stetson on Saturday.