MIAMI (Oct. 3, 2013) – This weekend, the FIU volleyball squad ( 7-7, 1-1 C-USA) will travel to Texas for a set of weekend matches against Conference USA opponents UTSA and UTEP. First serve against the Roadrunners is set for 8 p.m. ET on Friday, while the Miners are slated to host FIU at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Keeping Up with the Panthers
Live stats for Friday's match at UTSA can be accessed HERE, while Sunday's contest at UTEP can be followed via live stats HERE.
Last Time Out
The Panthers dropped a 3-0 (25-17, 25-8, 25-20) decision to Marshall last Sunday afternoon in Miami. Junior Martyna Gluchowicz notched a career-best seven kills, while committing zero errors in 11 attempts. Sophomore Ashlee Hodgskin led FIU with 17 assists and senior Kimberly Smith registered a team-high of four blocks on the day. For the season, redshirt junior
Ksenia Sukhareva (160 kills, 3.08 kps) and Smith (153 kills, 3.06 kps) lead the Panther offense, while junior
Jessica Mendoza owns team-leading marks of 180 digs (3.40 dps) and service aces (11). Smith also leads the FIU defense with 58 total blocks (1.16 bps), including 10 solo stops.
A Look at UTSA
With Laura Groff at the helm for her 12th season, UTSA is coming off back-to-back wins (3-1, 3-0) against C-USA opponents Tulane and LA Tech, making the squad 2-0 in conference play and 10-6 overall. The Roadrunner offense is spearheaded by McKenzie Adams (321 kills, 5.44 kps) and Brandy Husky (412 assists, 9.36 aps). Adams' mark of 208 digs (3.53 dps) is also good for a team-best, while Paige Hamilton leads the Roadrunners in service aces (8). Kylie Schott (67 blocks, 1.14 bps) and Tessa Dahnert (50 blocks, 1.19 bps) anchor the UTSA defense.
Series History
This will be the first matchup in series history between the Panthers and Roadrunners.
Scouting the Miners
Under the direction of Head Coach Ken Murphy for the past eight years, the Miners are 6-5 overall heading into their Friday night match against Florida Atlantic, and sit at 1-1 in C-USA play. UTEP was riding a four-game win streak before falling to Tulane, 3-1, on Sunday. Xitali Herrera (151 kills, 4.19 kps) and Talia Jones (112 kills, 3.11 kps) lead the Miners offense, while Jones also leads the team in service aces (11). Defensively, Victoria Valencia owns a squad-best 150 digs (4.17 dps) and Herrera also leads her team in blocks (36, 1.00 bps).
Series History
Sunday will mark the first time these two teams will square off in series history.
Next Up
Next, FIU returns home to host four-consecutive matches on Lime Court at U.S. Century Bank Arena. The Panthers will kick-off the home swing against UAB (Oct. 11), followed by contests against Tulsa (Oct. 13), Florida Gulf Coast (Oct. 15), and FAU (Oct. 18).
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUVolleyball) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUVolleyball) for all the latest FIU volleyball news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Google+ (FIU Athletics), Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics). The official FIU Athletics hashtag for the 2013-14 athletics year is #PantherNation.
#####
About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including U.S. Century Bank Arena and Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium.
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor¹s, master¹s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida¹s anchor institutions, FIU is Worlds Ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded 200,000 degrees and enrolls 50,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/
