TUSCON, Ariz. – Florida Gulf Coast beach volleyball (14-8) knocked off No. 14 Hawaii (11-10) 3-2 on Friday for its first ranked win of 2026.

All five pairs went to three sets in the Eagles' opener at the Wildcat Spring Challenge. Emma Soncrant and Vanessa Moriarty delivered FGCU's first win with a 22-20, 14-21, 15-12 triumph on court 5 before Andrea Dietz and Sydney Majick gave FGCU a 2-1 lead with a 22-20, 20-22, 15-12 win on court 3. Nicole De Oliveira and Erin Miller trailed at times through the third set, but rallied to extend the third set. The duo then delivered the match for the Eagles, winning 21-19, 16-21, 21-19 over the Rainbow Warriors to give FGCU the ranked win.

The Eagles' last ranked wins came last April, when FGCU defeated No. 15 FAU twice, on April 11 and 12, and then defeated No. 15 Georgia State on April 19. FGCU also beat No. 14 FIU on March 7, 2025. 

Next, FGCU will return to the sand on Friday at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT against host (RV) Arizona.

For more information on FGCU beach volleyball, follow @FGCU_BeachVB on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook, and visit fgcuathletics.com.