Beach Volleyball Set to Open 2024 Season This Weekend at Home

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College women's beach volleyball team will begin the 2024 season with a tri-match against Warner University and Lake Sumter Community College on Saturday, February 10th at the Judy and Joe P. Ruthven Beach Volleyball Courts in Lakeland, Fla.
 
In her first season as the head coach, Makena Wilson '20 was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as an honoree for Thirty Under 30. This honor is awarded to rising stars who are hard-working and passionate about teaching and are dedicated to helping grow the sport of beach volleyball. "From last year to this year I think there has been a lot of change going on, which has been great," stated Wilson. "The girl's mentality is on that path of competitiveness, being together, wanting to work hard, and finding ways to get better every single day. You can see that from a year and it makes me excited with that step up from last year."
 
Last year was a challenge for FSC as they finished the season 8-23 overall. With more challenges still to come, Wilson is going to look to several key returners to bring the Mocs success.
 
Florida Southern returns a big portion of key returners from last season and sophomore Ashli McKenny is at the top of that list. McKenny who spent most of the season partnered with senior Sarah Crocker and they were awarded the Team Top Pair Award. The duo was super successful in the No.3 pairing last year finishing with 11 wins in the third pairing and 13 wins overall. 
 
As a successful pair, coach Wilson has separated the dynamic duo in hopes they will be just as successful with other teams. "I think those two being apart, with the knowledge and experience they have, makes two stronger teams," stated Wilson. 
 
Another pairing that had a lot of success last season, but will also be split up, is Christina Ramazio and Hayley St. Martin. The duo finished the season with 11 wins, all at the No.4 pairing. "I am just balancing out all the teams," Wilson adds. "The girls are hungrier this year. They want it more, and they are going to do what it takes to win. Last year we were a young team, a new coach, and not a lot of experience."
 
The Mocs have a few new faces joining the team as transfers Emma Winford from Lincoln Memorial, Reagan Carlton from Sunshine State Conference foe Tampa, and Jackie Schner from Oglethorpe all bring college experience to the sand. For the freshman, Wilson adds four freshmen Hailey Carefoot, Sydney Melcher, Mary Olivia Muti, and Peyton Culbreth will all be looked at to make an impact on the team. 
 
This year Sophia Rakauskas joined Wilson on the coaching staff for her senior year. "Sophia is amazing," adds Wilson. "She does it all, she runs our social media, she helps with food and travel, and just being an extra person on the bench to have a set of eyes when three matches are going on at once. She is very knowledgeable with the beach game, she has played for 12 years, and to have that outside set of eyes has been huge because she is so consistent."
 
When looking at the overall expectations for the season Wilson states, "I just expect the girls to go out and compete every single match that we have. Not that we want to lose, but if we do it's not because of work ethic, competitiveness, drive, or what will to win. It's because of our Xs and Os if a team is just better in that sense. I want to finish in the top half of the AVCA Small College Championship where we compete against all the top Division II beach volleyball teams."
 
Florida Southern will open up the season on Saturday, Feb. 10 with a dual starting at 10 a.m. facing the Royals of Warner and will conclude the day facing the Hawks from Lake Sumter at 2 p.m.