FIU cruised past Savannah State, 3-0, to start Panther Fest on Thursday night at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

The Panthers (3-1) defeated the Tigers (0-2) by scores of 25-10, 25-16 and 25-16 in the first of three matches in the next two days for FIU.

Margarita Bianchin led the Panthers with 14 kills and had a hitting percentage of .520. Chelsea Hudson and Sidney Henderson each added six kills. Hudson had a hitting percentage of .500.

Bianchin added three aces and Helene Thelle and Lina Bernier each had two aces.

Once again freshman Abbie Hughes racked up double digits in kills with 31. Bernier topped the Panthers with 12 digs.

Hudson chipped in four blocks and Henderson had three.

FIU dominated the match racing out to an 18-6 lead in the first set. The Panthers established a commanding 18-8 lead in the second set before wrapping up the match on a 9-3 run to finish the third set.

FIU is back on the court on Friday morning. The Panthers host Chicago State at 11:30 a.m. before playing Delaware at 5:30 p.m. later in the day.