Murfreesboro, Tenn. -  The FIU women's volleyball team was edged 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25) against Middle Tennessee State University on Sunday afternoon in their second Conference USA road game of the season.

The Panthers (3-14, 0-4 C-USA) dropped a tough opening set 25-22. FIU had control for most of the first set and were leading 15-10 midway through. Their lead held up and it was 21-17 until MTSU buckled down. The Panthers called a timeout when the Blue Raiders went on a 3-0 run, but FIU was not able to hold MTSU's offense after the break. MTSU took the lead 22-21 and they finished the first set on a 7-1 run.

The second set started off at a quicker pace offensively. Both teams were going back and forth trading points in the first half of the set and there were seven ties when the score reached 15-15. FIU scored the next three points to take a 18-15 lead and were able to break away from MTSU and did not look back. The Panthers won the second set 25-20.

The Blue Raiders regrouped to take the third set 25-22. It started very similar to the previous set, and it was tied 10-10 early on. From there, MTSU went on an 8-2 scoring run that became the deciding stretch of the set. FIU was not able to overcome the deficit even with a late comeback attempt.
MTSU closed out the Panthers in the fourth set 25-22. The Blue Raiders got out to an early 11-7 lead, but FIU went on the first of multiple scoring runs to cut the deficit 12-11. Later in the set, MTSU led 18-14 which prompted FIU to call a timeout.

The Panthers scored three consecutive points after the timeout to chip away at the Blue Raiders' lead. FIU was not able to take the lead down 18-17 and the MTSU went on to win their first C-USA game of the season. The Blue Raiders ended the match with four different players with double digit kills.

Outside hitter, Emily Meyer, recorded a career high 21 kills to lead all players on both teams. She also chipped in 9 digs which was third best for FIU. Setter Camila De la Rosa was back in the starting lineup after an impressive match against Western Kentucky. She also broke a personal record today and recorded a career best 48 assists.  

UP NEXT
FIU is back in action next weekend when they return home to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. They will take on the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Friday Oct. 7 at 7:00 pm. They will be back on the road that same weekend to take on the Charlotte 49ers on Sunday Oct. 9 at 1:00 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUVolleyball), Twitter (@FIUVolleyball), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUVolleyball) for all the latest Women's Soccer news. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.