In the third installment of Bump, Set, Blog, senior Jessica Mendoza takes FIUSports.com through opening weekend in South Carolina. Read on for the inside look at the Panthers' first road trip of the 2013 campaign. Go Panthers!

As we departed on the busses to the MIA airport from the FIU campus early Thursday morning, we all began to get our minds right for a tough, competitive weekend at the Gamecock Invitational in South Carolina. We began our trip with a quick two-hour flight to North Carolina where another bus awaited our arrival. From North Carolina, we drove another two hours to Columbia, South Carolina to check in to our hotel right across the street from the coliseum. After checking in, we had about an hour to rest, get taped, and head across the street to the court for a short practice before opening day.

They always say the Southerners are famous for their sweet tea; well that is one correct stereotype. Every single meal that was prepared for us – breakfast, lunch and dinner – was not only filled with amazing, kind, and fast service, but the sweetest of teas. Such wonderful people make any visit that much sweeter. As our bellies were filled, ankles taped, and uniforms on, we headed from the hotel to the locker rooms inside the coliseum to begin our battle for the W.

Our first match was against High Point, who was a local team and very athletic. As the match went underway, we fought each and every game, coming back from a 0-2 deficit and taking them to a fifth set. With each point, the cheers became louder and the momentum increased. Unfortunately a few errors at the end cost us the game. Yet, losing isn't something to dwell on, but to learn from to get better.

After the first loss we had to grab lunch, and then we took 45 minutes to relax before heading back to the gym to take on the Gamecocks. As we mentally prepared, the coaches came into the locker room to give us the scouting report and game plan. We played a tough three games and the Gamecocks took the W for the match. As much as anyone hates losing, we all left the coliseum that night learning a lot about ourselves and each other in order to get to the next level.

As we advanced onto the last day and match of our visit on Saturday, we all woke up with a new mindset. We ate breakfast, got taped, and headed over to the locker rooms to visualize our next match. We closed our eyes and visualized us performing each move and skill to the best of our abilities, perfectly.

As we took the court, we had an awesome warm up to set the mood. Each of us working hard to perform each individual task to be able to perform as one unit was beautiful. It finally clicked that all the hard work we put into our preseason showed that match vs. South Carolina State. Even though we went home with a 1-2 record, I can say that we all learned a lot from our losses and will use this weekend and take it as a lesson for the rest of the season as we continue to improved and play as one big family of sisters.

We open the home season this Thursday against Houston Baptist at 5 p.m., and I hope to see all of Panther Nation at The Bank!

See you there, FIU!

Jess Mendoza