Spring break has long been synonymous with the beach, with Florida being one of the favorite destinations.

It’s how the inaugural Hawaii women’s sand volleyball team is spending its spring break this week. On the sands in Florida.

The Rainbow Wahine opened a weeklong competition this morning against the host Dolphins of Jacksonville. It is one of two dual matches scheduled — the other is at Florida State in Tallahassee on Thursday — with Hawaii then competing in the University of North Florida Tournament on Saturday and Sunday back in Jacksonville.

"We’re going to see how we stack up after this week," Wahine sand coach Scott Wong said. "One of the beauties of all of this is we haven’t played any of these teams. We have no idea how good any of them are."

Wong has a bit of an idea how Thursday’s opponent will be. Florida State is coached by Punahou alumna Danalee Bragado Corso, a former pro beach player.

She is also the only full-time head coach in the NCAA’s newest emerging sport. Corso has the Seminoles off to a quick start by going undefeated in two dual matches and earning three tournament titles this month, including their own Seminole Sand Battle last weekend.

"From what I can tell, Florida State is definitely the best of the east," Wong said. "They’ve been training year-round and I know Danalee has them ready.

"It will be interesting to see how our team reacts with adversity over a week of playing. Everyone talks about how the road affects you, but you should have the ability to put things behind you."

That includes a chance to put Friday’s indoor exhibition match against Nebraska on Maui behind Hawaii, as well. Of the 12-member sand team that traveled Sunday to Florida, eight saw action in the sweep by the Huskers at War Memorial.

The No. 1 Wahine doubles team is sophomore Emily Hartong and graduate student Elizabeth Ka‘aihue Stoltzman. The pair won the title of the March 17 tournament at Queen’s Beach.

Wong said there were two changes for today’s competition. Ashley Lee, who played indoor at Long Beach State, had her eligibility paperwork cleared and is available to compete.

However, freshman Jane Croson was not scheduled to compete due to a personal issue.

Wong said that they would go with 11 players, and someone would have to double up on a second doubles team.

Croson, who was part of the first American team to win the FIVB World Beach Youth (Under 19) Tournament, is expected to play Thursday against FSU.

Wong said the team had a good practice Monday and was making adjustments to the time difference, including a very early dinner. He said he might adjust pairings depending on the outcome of today’s match.