Florida State beach volleyball enters season with championship mindset

It doesn't take much time around this year's Florida State Beach Volleyball team to pick up on their lofty goals.

They are hardly being shy about them.

"We know what it takes to get to that Final Four. We've gotten second place, we've gotten fourth place. We're really ready to finish it," senior Vanessa Freire said.

"I think this is our most competitive team yet."

Freire is one of many Seminoles that has come so close to bringing home a national title.

In 2015 -- the first year beach volleyball was an NCAA-sanctioned sport --, FSU fell to Southern California in the National Championship match.

Last year, FSU fell to Hawaii twice in the NCAA Tournament, finishing fourth.

The Seminoles have stood out for some time as an anomaly of sorts. In a sport heavily dominated by teams on the West Coast, FSU has made itself a power program.

Of the five programs that have made each of the first two NCAA Tournaments, FSU is the only one located on the East Coast.

The Seminoles are also one of three programs to make the Final Four in each of the first two years, along with USC and Hawaii.

"Everyone is ready to show what we're worth and show that an East Coast team can really dominate," Freire said.

This year's team -- ranked fourth in the AVCA Coaches Preseason Poll -- brings a mix of returning experience and young talent including five seniors, junior Brooke Kuhlman -- a 2017 AVCA All-American -- and six talented freshmen.

"We're definitely going to rely on our experience this year. We also have a crop of really athletic freshmen that came in so we're going to try and combine the two and see where that takes us," FSU head coach Brooke Niles said.

"I'm just excited to put all these tools together."

More: Seminole Central: Florida State's "Chase" continues

More: Florida State ace Tyler Holton out for the season

This year, offseason strides have been made to ensure that the season doesn't end with another disappointment.

"We've been working so hard and we're just happy it has finally come because this is our year," redshirt sophomore Eva Torruella said.

"All the elements are in place, we just have to put them in place and focus."

Niles -- entering her third year with the Seminoles -- embraces this confidence from her team.

"We know what we're capable of and I don't think there's anything wrong with voicing those opinions," Niles said.

"It's something we want to remind ourselves every day to work towards...They definitely have that goal on their minds and I think it's great."

FSU's 2018 regular season begins Friday with four games scheduled in Deland at this weekend's Stetson Spring Fling.

The Seminoles' home opener is the following weekend -- March 2 and 3 -- at the Hampton Inn Capitol-University Invitational.