MIAMI (Oct 7, 2021) – The FIU indoor volleyball team travels for the first time in Conference USA play when the team heads to Middle Tennessee for a series at Alumni Memorial Gym from Oct. 8-9. First serve from both matches is slated for 2 p.m. ET.

Fans can catch both contests on C-USA TV.

LAST TIME OUT
The Panthers dropped their series with then-ranked No. 21 WKU last weekend, falling in straight sets during both meetings. Giada Bianchi logged a squad-best 11 kills during the series while Camila De La Rosa paced the team with 17 assists. Defensively, Valeria Santos tallied 16 digs, and Shannon Gormally recorded four blocks over the weekend.

BY THE NUMBERS
As a team, FIU averages 11.4 kills with a .157 hitting percentage. The Panthers average 1.3 service aces, 2.0 blocks and 14.5 digs per set. Bianchi enters the weekend with a team-best 122 kills and 13 aces for her freshman campaign. In her first season in Miami, Bianchi ranks ninth in kills (3.39), eighth in aces (0.36) and ninth in points (4.08) in Conference USA. Santos boasts 164 digs to lead the Panthers, and her 4.82 digs per set is second in the league.

SCOUTING THE MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Middle Tennessee enters the weekend at 5-5 for the year with a 3-1 record against C-USA opponents. During league play, the Blue Raiders swept Charlotte to open conference play before splitting the series with Marshall. MT enters the series with the Panthers hitting .208 for the season while averaging 11.8 kills per set. Defensively, Middle Tennessee posts 13.6 digs and 1.5 blocks per set.

Individually, Samira Lawson Body leads the Blue Raiders with 3.46 points and 3.13 kills per set. The outside hitter has started all 10 matches for MT and made appearances in 39 of the team's 41 sets played. Taylor Eisert runs the offense, averaging 9.15 assists per set. The redshirt freshman is fifth in the conference in said category. 

UP NEXT
The Panthers return home for a series against Florida Atlantic from Oct. 15-16. First serve from both matches is slated for 1 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIUVolleyball on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or @FIUBeachVB on Twitter, @FIU_Beach on Instagram and @FIUBeach on Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.