HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS – The FIU Volleyball team improved to a perfect 3-0 in Conference USA play with a convincing 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-18) sweep over Sam Houston on Friday night in the opening match of two salted for this weekend against the Bearkats.
 
The Panthers (7-9, 3-0 CUSA) took control early on as they hit .310 in the opening game with just one hitting error before following with a .296 clip in the second. 
 
Morgan McKenzie paced the Panthers in the win with 10 kills.  Syra Tanchin had eight kills without an error for a .308 clip, while Yasso Amin chipped in seven kills and hit .429 overall.  Savannah Cook directed the FIU attack with 32 assists.
 
Mandi Morioka and Tanchin led the way on the defensive end with 17 digs apiece.  Amin and Amber Beals each posted a trio of service aces.  The Panthers posted 12 block assists on the night, led by Travel Morris' four and Jade Sadeiko's three.
 
The perfect 3-0 start to Conference USA play is FIU's best since the 2018 season – when it also opened with three consecutive wins.  The Panthers have never opened with four straight wins since joining Conference USA in 2013.
 
FIU's best start to conference play was a perfect 17-0 season as a member of the Sun Belt Conference in 2009.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will close out the weekend set at Sam Houston State with a Saturday matinee in Huntsville, Texas beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
The match can be streamed on ESPN+.

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 Volleyball news.  

General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.