Photo Credit: Roy Viera

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Sept. 1, 2013) – Following a stellar performance on opening weekend, redshirt junior Ksenia Sukhareva was named to the Gamecock Invitational All-Tournament Team. 

Sukhareva led FIU to a 1-2 weekend at the Gamecock Invitational, as the Panthers dropped a hard-fought, five-set loss to High Point and fell to host South Carolina, 3-0, before sweeping South Carolina State in straight sets.

Competing in her first season of indoor volleyball at FIU, Sukhareva totaled 37 kills across 11 sets of action (3.36 kps), registering a career-high 16 kills against HPU, seven kills versus USC, and 14 kills against SCSU. In addition, the outside hitter notched a career-best two service aces versus the Bulldogs to put her weekend total at four winners.

Sukhareva was also active on the defensive side of the net, posting career bests of six digs and three blocks, including her first-career solo stop, against HPU. For the weekend, the Moscow, Russia, native recorded 4.0 total blocks to go along with 13 digs.

Joining Sukhareva on the 2013 Gamecock Invitational All-Tournament Team were: Juliette Thévenin, South Carolina (MVP); Kellie McNeil, South Carolina; Kristin Heldt, High Point; and Desire Waller, South Carolina State.

FIU returns to Miami this coming weekend to host the FIU Classic, held Sept. 5-7 at U.S. Century Bank Arena. The Panthers will take on Houston Baptist in the 2013 home opener on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m., before facing Alabama on Friday, Sept. 6 (3 p.m.), and UNCW on Saturday, Sept. 7 (6 p.m.). Tickets can be purchased by calling 305-FIUGAME or by logging on to FIUSports.com.

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/

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