ATLANTA, Ga. – Three Panthers finished with double-figure kill totals on Friday evening, though, it would not be enough to rally for a fifth set in FIU's opener at the Georgia Tech Invitational with a 3-1 loss to Arizona State, 20-25, 25-23, 17-25, 22-25, inside O'Keefe Gymnasium.
 
After dropping the first set, FIU came out strong in the second in burying 15 kills throughout the frame to come away with a 25-23 margin to knot the match up at 1-1. The Panthers then competed neck-and-neck to a 14-14 deadlock with Arizona State in the third up until the Sun Devils rallied for 11 of the ensuing 14 points (25-17) prior to holding off a late FIU surge in the fourth to edge the Panthers for the four-set victory.
 
Emily Meyer paced the Panthers' attack with a team-high 13 kills, eight digs and four blocks, followed by freshman Madison Morgan with a career performance on career-highs of 11 kills (.400 hitting) and three blocks. Additionally, Alyssa Wissinger matched a career-best 11 kills to pair with three blocks.
 
Athina Dimitriadis added six kills and four blocks, while Paige Thibault chipped in a career-best seven kills, 10 digs and two blocks. Senior Camila De La Rosa recorded a team-high 24 assists, along with two aces and digs apiece, while Sarah Nading added 17 assists, three kills and two aces and digs each.
 
Katie Turner recorded 21 digs and five assists at libero, while Madisen Miller matched a season-best two aces and recorded seven digs.
 
UP NEXT
FIU prepares for its next matchup of the Georgia Tech Invitational with a matchup against Dayton on Saturday, Sept. 3. First serve is slated for a 2 p.m. start at O'Keefe Gymnasium in Atlanta, Ga.
 
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.