GULF SHORES, Ala. – The #4 LMU beach volleyball team overcame severe weather delays and a loss to #5 Florida State to bounce back and defeat #8 Florida Atlantic and advance to Saturday's play.

The day opened with LMU's match being delayed three and a half hours before the Lions had an opportunity to take on the Seminoles. The conditions were tough as wind impacted serves and sets across all five courts.
 
LMU picked up the point on the fifth court as Jacinda Ramirez and Isabelle Reffel won both of their Friday matches. The Lions were unable to claim another court and lost the dual, 3-1.
 
1. Megan Rice / Reka Orsi Toth - 19-21, 16-21 (FSU)
2. Avery Poppinga / Marine Kinna  - 15-21, 15-21 (FSU)
3. Vilhelmiina Prihti / Macy Gordon - 14-21, 18-21 (FSU)
4. Selina Marolf / Abbey Thorup - 25-23, 13-19
5. Jacinda Ramirez / Isabelle Reffel - 21-15, 21-17 (LMU)
 
The Lions moved to the elimination bracket and matched up against FAU who opened the day with a loss to top-seeded USC.
 
LMU took the first set on four different court, en route to the 3-0 sweep over the Owls.
 
Ramirez and Reffel again took care of business on Court 5 before Avery Poppinga and Marine Kinna closed out Court 2 and Selina Marolf and Abbey Thorup won on Court 4 within moments of each other to clinch the point and advance.
 
1. Megan Rice/ Reka Orsi Toth - 16-21, 21-15, 7-3
2. Avery Poppinga/ Marine Kinna - 21-18, 21-19 (LMU)
3. Vilhelmiina Prihti/ Macy Gordon - 21-19, 19-21
4. Selina Marolf/ Abbey Thorup - 21-12, 21-20 (LMU)
5. Jacinda Ramirez/ Isabelle Reffel - 21-19, 22-20 (LMU)

With the weather delay, LMU's opponent is still unknown. The Lions will play the losing team between #3 UCLA and #10 Georgia State on Saturday at 1:00 PM CT / 11: AM PT. All matches on Saturday will be played on ESPN2.