MIAMI (September 30, 2016) - The FIU volleyball team (6-10, 0-2 in C-USA) received their second conference loss of the season, this time at the hands of Florida Atlantic, 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-22).

The Panthers dropped the first set after a close battle, 25-21. FIU was led by senior Katie Hogan with three kills on seven tries. The Panthers rallied in the set defensively with 11 total digs and two blocks, but could not maintain the lead. Although the Owls hit .097 for the set, the Panthers were still outhit by .020.

FIU struggled to gain any momentum in the second set, dropping to a 0-2 deficit after the 25-14 loss. The Panthers trailed offensively in hitting percentage, .440 to .125. Hogan, along with junior Mariana Dal Pozzo each contributed three kills in the set, for a team total of 12.

The Panthers opened the third set with freshman Sidney Henderson in the starting rotation. Aggressive play from Henderson helped FIU fight to stay in control of the match offensively. Junior Jennifer Ene led the team in kills for the set with five. At match point for the Owls, junior Mariana De Paula Silva kept the Panthers alive with two consecutive service aces, bringing FIU within two points. Florida Atlantic took the set, 25-22 and the match in straight sets.

FIU will return to Lime Court at FIU Arena this Sunday, October 2 to host the UAB Blazers (8-10, 1-2 in C-USA). First serve is set for 1 p.m. (ET).

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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 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/.