Florida Atlantic University’s beach volleyball team announced via Instagram on Feb. 18 that they have been ranked No. 16, per the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason coaches poll. Coaches awarded the Owls 131 points.

Head coach Steve Grotowski said that the poll’s are voted on by coaches so it’s hard to predict how exact they will be. The coaches vote on teams who they think will finish in that position at the end of the season. He emphasized his appreciation that they have high hopes for his Owls. 

“We’ve been practicing really well, and probably one of the best preseason spring practice sessions that we’ve had, girls have been really locked in and focused competitively,” said Grotowski. “But yeah, at the end of the day, all those rankings don’t really mean anything until you go play somebody.”

Last season, the Sandy Owls had an overall record of 18-19 and 2-4 in their conference. During the Conference USA tournament, they won both of their first matches to send them to the semifinals where they fell to Texas Christian University 1-3. 

The Owls head to Tampa, Fla. this Feb. 21-22 to play in the Tampa Invite. Their first game on Feb. 21 will be against the University of Washington. 

“I hope we’re better than 16, so maybe if they put us at four, maybe that would be some pressure at the end of the day. You are kind of what your record shows,” said Grotowski. 

This is a developing story. 

Megan Bruinsma is the Sports Editor for the University Press. For more information regarding this or other stories email her at mbruinsma2022@fau.edu or DM her on Instagram @megan_bruinsma or X(Twitter) @MeganBruinsma.