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Huntington, W.V. (Sept. 28, 2014) – The FIU volleyball team suffered a 3-0 (17-25, 16-25, 25-27) Conference USA loss to the Marshall Thundering Herd from the Cam Henderson Center on Sunday afternoon.
FIU (3-12, 0-2 C-USA) was out-hit by Marshall .268 to .063, as the Thundering Herd (8-9, 3-0 C-USA) posted 49 total kills compared to 29 by the Panthers. FIU would go on to out-block Marshall, 7.0 to 6.0, and out dig the Herd, 50 to 48.
 
Six players recorded kills for the Panthers, as freshman Lea Montavon led the way with 11. Junior Lucia Castro added seven, while freshmen Jennifer Ene chipped in with six kills. Sophomore Anabela Sataric dished out 17 assists, while senior Kristine Monforte led all players and posted a career-best 16 digs. Montavon contributed 10 digs to go along with her 11 kills, garnering her second double-double on the year.
 
Marshall had two players reach double figures in kills as Ally Kiekover led the way with 14 and a .550 hitting percentage. Cassie Weaver also had 14 kills off a .314 hitting percentage. Weaver also added 10 digs on the afternoon.
 
The match began with the two teams exchanging points until a 5-1 Thundering Herd run would give them a four point advantage, forcing FIU to call a timeout. Following the break, Marshall continued their offensive tear as they pulled ahead by as many as seven. With the score 21-14, the Panthers attempted a late comeback, but it was too little, too late as they fell in the first, 25-17.
 
The second set started much like the first where both teams exchanged points to open the frame. It was extremely close through the entire set, featuring seven ties and five lead changes. With the Panthers leading by one at the halfway point, Marshall went on a 16-6 scoring tear to close out the set, 25-16.  
 
Marshall came out in the third picking up right where it left off quickly going up 7-1. FIU would go on a 3-0 run to get within three, forcing the Herd to call a timeout. Following the break, the Panthers kept the momentum going on a 9-4 run to take a 13-12 lead. The Herd scored the next three points and FIU would call timeout. Following the break, the Panthers took advantage of Marshall attack and service errors as they would tie the score up at 15 all. From there, the set would see five more ties and four lead more lead changes as it would come down to the wire. Back-to-back Herd kills sealed the deal for the Panthers as they fell in the third and final set, 27-25.
 
FIU will continue C-USA play next week with a Friday evening match against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. First serve between the Panthers and Hilltoppers is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, from Lime Court at FIU Arena.
 
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).
 
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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 FIU Arena and Ocean BankField at FIU Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offers more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $9.8 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 4-00 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.