MIAMI (September 2, 2021) – The FIU indoor volleyball team hit the road for the first time this season when the team travels to Fort Myers, Florida, for the Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic from September 3-4. The Panthers battle Florida A&M at 11 a.m. ET on Friday and follow the match with a contest against host Florida Gulf Coast at 7:30 p.m. The team closes out the weekend against USC Upstate with first serve on Saturday slated for 2 p.m.
FIU is searching for its first victory this season after two tough matches against Tarleton State and Miami. As a team, the Panthers average 10.9 kills per set and 2.9 blocks per set.
Individually, Giada Bianchi paces the team with 4.13 points per set. The freshman also leads the squad with 3.50 kills per set. Camila De La Rosa's 10.6 assists per set leads the Panthers while Myrthe Maring's 2.75 blocks per set is a squad-best.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Florida A&M enters the weekend at 2-1. After falling to South Alabama to open the year, the team then swept Charleston Southern and Jacksonville. The Rattlers average 15.4 digs and 11.8 kills so far this season.
Florida Gulf Coast boasts an undefeated 3-0 record coming into its home tournament this weekend. The Eagles have not dropped a set all season, sweeping UMBC, Rutgers and South Florida last weekend. Erin Shomaker was tabbed the ASUN Player of the Week following a weekend highlighted by a double-double against Rutgers and six set-winning kills. FGCU posts 13.2 kills and 1.9 aces per set.
USC Upstate comes into the tournament with a 1-2 record following a sweep of Mississippi Valley State before falling to Southern Miss and Louisiana during the Southern Miss Classic. The Spartans average 12.2 kills and 16.7 digs per set.
UP NEXT
FIU heads to the Eagle Invitational on September 10th. The Panthers face off against Murray State and host Georgia Southern.
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.
