RUSTON, La. — FIU's volleyball program was defeated in five sets on the road at Louisiana Tech in Conference USA (CUSA) play.
The Panthers (6-24, 4-12 CUSA) traded the opening four sets with the Bulldogs (8-21, 2-14 CUSA), but La Tech held off FIU in the fifth for a 15-13 win.
The Bulldogs won sets one and three, 25-18, 25-21, respectively. FIU won sets two and four, 25-20 and 25-21. Offensively, Anna Feldkamp returned to the starting lineup and led the Panthers with 15 kills, hitting .353. Courtney O'Brien totaled 13 kills in support. Travel Morris and Jillian Huckabey were also in double figures with 11 and 10 kills.
Savannah Cook had 40 assists as FIU totaled 57 kills. Defensively, Mandi Morioka totaled 21 digs and added seven assists and three service aces. O'Brien and Cook both had double-doubles with 20 and 19 digs, respectively.
The Panthers had 92 digs as a team and totaled nine service aces. Morioka and Cook combined for five of those nine aces.
La Tech built an early 14-8 lead in the first set and maintained that margin to claim a 25-18 win. Down 15-14 in the second, FIU found its form with a 6-0 run to open a 20-15 advantage.
A service ace from Kindyl Kilar and ensuing Bulldog error gave the Panthers a 25-20 win. FIU led 18-13 in the third, but the Bulldogs battled back with a 5-0 run to go ahead 19-18. La Tech had the momentum from there to conclude the frame, winning 25-21.
A five-point run for FIU opened up a 15-11 lead for the Panthers in the fourth. Back-to-back kills from Morris put FIU up 22-15 and the Panthers eventually finished set four, 25-21.
In the fifth, Louisiana Tech went up 7-1 early. FIU fought all the way back, taking a 12-11 lead on an O'Brien kill. With the score tied at 13-all, the Bulldogs scored the final two points to claim the match victory.
UP NEXT
FIU has its final home matches of the 2024 season on Nov. 15-16, hosting Sam Houston State.
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