FIU opens Conference USA play this weekend by hosting UAB and Marshall at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

The Panthers (7-5) take on the Blazers (8-6) at 7 p.m. Friday and conclude the weekend with a 1 p.m. match against the Thundering Herd (7-7).

Both matches can be seen on C-USA TV and live stats are available as well for both matches.

Coming off a 1-2 weekend at the Gator Invitational, FIU remains among the defensive leaders in C-USA. The Panthers are third in the conference allowing just a .177 hitting percentage.

FIU is second in C-USA allowing opponents 11.32 kills per set. Florida Atlantic is first at 10.51.

The Panthers are third in blocks with 2.18 per set. Dorina Klinger is seventh in the league with 0.93 blocks per set. Overall, Chelsea Hudson leads FIU with 36 blocks. Dorina Klinger has 28 total blocks.

Lina Bernier continues to be one of the conference's leaders in digs. The junior is fourth in C-USA with 4.87 digs per set.

Margherita Bianchin leads FIU with 3.38 kills per set and 13 service aces. Nina Petranovic is second with 2.60 kills per set and eight service aces.

Petranovic made the Gator Invitational All-Tournament team after her performance in Gainesville. Petranovic tallied 28 kills, five service aces, 14 digs and nine blocks in three matches.

Abbie Hughes paces the Panthers with 8.17 assists per set.

About UAB

UAB enters the weekend having lost four of its last six matches.

The Blazers are second in C-USA in blocks averaging 2.27 per set. Emily Rudolph (1.04 per set) and Victoria Young (1.04) are tied for fourth in C-USA in blocks.

Abby Carlile leads UAB with 3.13 kills per set. Alex Kells is second at 2.61. Shelby Holderfield is third in C-USA in assists with 10.44 per set.

FIU leads the all-time series with UAB, 6-2. However, the Blazers defeated the Panthers in three sets last season in Birmingham.

About Marshall

Marshall, who opens C-USA play at Charlotte Friday, won two of three matches at the Bowling Green tournament last weekend. The Thundering Herd also received two conference player of the week nods.

Junior Amber Weber was named Defensive Player of the Week and freshman Gabrielle Coulter earned Freshman of the Week. Weber recorded 91 kills over three matches and was named to the all-tournament team. Coulter had 128 assists during the three matches.

Clara Debell leads C-USA in kills with 4.45 per set. Coulter is fourth in assists with 9.89 per set. Weber is second in digs with 5.25 per set.

Marshall leads the all-time series with FIU 5-1. The Herd won both matches last season.