MIAMI (September 19, 2016) – The FIU volleyball team (6-7) will wrap up their non-conference schedule against in-state rival Florida Gulf Coast (11-2) in their first mid-week matchup on Tuesday, September 20 at 6:00 p.m. (ET) at Alico Arena.
 
The Panthers are coming off a 2-2 weekend in Starkville, Mississippi, sweeping Eastern Illinois and Troy, but falling to Mississippi State (3-2) and Portland (3-0). The Maroon Classic concludes tournament play for FIU, as part of a 12-game road stretch.
 
"I'm hoping for it to be a good match," said Head Coach Rita Buck-Crockett. "I think we are evenly matched. We are coming off of a quasi-good weekend; just one hiccup against Portland. I hope we continue bouncing forward."
 
The Panthers were led last weekend by senior Katie Hogan and junior Taija Thomas, who were both named to the Maroon-Classic All-Tournament Team. For the season, Hogan leads the team in points (163.5), kills (131), attacks (396), service aces (14), digs (114), double-doubles (six; ranks fifth in Conference USA) and is second in blocks with 32 (five solo, 27 assists). Thomas leads the team in hitting percentage with .270 and is second on the team in points (127.0) and kills (111).
 
Scouting Florida Gulf Coast: The Eagles (11-2) will enter tomorrow's match with a 10-game win streak, not losing since the opening weekend against No. 22 WKU, 3-1. Historically, the Panthers have split the series with FGCU, 5-5. Florida Gulf Coast has won the last five meetings, three of which have come under Buck-Crockett as coach of the Panthers.
 
The Eagles are led by sophomore Amanda Carroll who currently has 203 kills, ranking her 25th in the nation. Florida Gulf Coast has a high-powered offense, averaging 14.07 kills per set on a .290 hitting percentage. Sophomore setter, Maggie Rick also ranks 37th in the nation for assists, with 500 on the season.
 
FGCU's weaknesses come at the service line and blocking front. The Eagles have 74 aces on the season, 11 more than FIU, but have also committed 43 more service errors than the Panthers. On the net, FIU outblocks the Eagles, 113-83.
 
Chasing Records: The FIU blocking front is led by junior Jennifer Ene who ranks fourth in school history for career solo blocks (42) and ninth in block assists (197). Ene is two solo blocks away from tying 1994 alum Jennifer Marek (44) for third and one assisted block from tying Rio Olympian Yarimar Rosa (198) for eighth in program history.
 
Live stats and ticket information can be found on 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).
 
#####
 
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 Bank Field 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 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.