FIU gets new sports team

MIAMI (WSVN) -- There's a new sport at FIU. Donovan Campbell said it's one of the best assignments he's ever had.

"I've always wanted to play sand volleyball in college," said Emily Podschweit, "and I've just been waiting for the day."

Coming all the way from Colorado, Emily Podschweit was the Panther's first recruit and getting others to follow her to the sands of FIU was an easy sell. "We have a huge mix of the world on our team," said Head Coach Rita Buck-Crockett. "It's truly international. Florida International."

In a couple of weeks, the Golden Panthers Sand Volleyball Team will finally get down and dirty when they inaugural season kicks off Mar. 8th in Los Angeles. "We've been working really hard," said Jessica Mendoza. "For us to be out here just getting ready for all of this, it's really exciting."

"To be able to be in the beginning of a new sport," said Buck-Crockett, "it's like this is a no-brainer."

Former silver-medalist Rita Buck-Crockett will be responsible to make the Golden Panthers a contender. Unlike indoor volleyball, FIU will fill five double teams that will compete in the best of three matches to 21. "We're expecting a lot of competition out there on the West Coast especially" said Mendoza, "but I think we have a little bit of a different swagger I guess you can say from being on the east."

The biggest difference between sand volleyball and indoor is the running. But it's still worth running to catch these ladies display their talent on the sand.

The team will play games in Los Angeles and Hawaii.

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