MIAMI — FIU's volleyball program has its final road tournament of 2024 this weekend, taking on Wake Forest, South Carolina and Stetson, Sept. 13-14.
The Panthers (1-6) earned their first victory of the season in a dramatic, five-set comeback over Dayton last weekend in Durham, N.C. FIU will look to continue its winning ways as it heads to Columbia, S.C. for three matches, two on Friday and one on Saturday.
Friday, Sept. 13
FIU vs. Wake Forest
Time | Site: 10 a.m. | Columbia, S.C.
Live Stats
Friday, Sept. 13
FIU vs. South Carolina
Time | Site: 7:30 p.m. | Columbia, S.C.
Live Stats
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Saturday, Sept. 14
FIU vs. Stetson
Time | Site: 11 a.m. | Columbia, S.C.
Live Stats
For the Panthers, Jillian Huckabey racked up a combined 56 kills in FIU's three matches at the Duke Invitational. In the Panthers' victory over Davidson, the freshman outside hitter had 21 kills and 15 digs, her second double-double of the season.
Setter Savannah Cook also had an excellent weekend, totaling 125 assists in her first three starts of the season. Cook had a career-high 54 assists in FIU's win over Davidson on Sunday.
Courtney O'Brien, a Texas Tech transfer, is off to a solid start in her first season as Panther with 50 kills, an average of 2.17 kills per set. Anna Feldkamp had added 46 total kills in support, attacking at a .248 clip.
FIU takes on more Power-4 competition after facing Ohio State, LSU and Duke already this season. The Panthers will take on the ACC's Wake Forest and the SEC's South Carolina.
SCOUTING WAKE FOREST
The Demon Deacons (3-3) have played in a home tournament along with a tournament at Iowa State so far this season. Wake Forest defeated West Virginia and Navy on its home floor and then won in five sets over Toledo at ISU.
Wake has had four of its six matches go into five sets this season, including all three last weekend. The Demon Deacons are led by a balanced attack in which four players have 40 kills or more. Olivia Murphy and Sahara Maruska lead the way with 53 and 51 kills, respectively.
SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA
The Gamecocks (5-1) suffered a defeat to No. 13 Kansas in their opening match of the season, but have since won five in-a-row. South Carolina defeated Colgate and Duke in Durham before winning all three of its matches at home last weekend.
USC downed Temple, UNC and the College of Charleston in straight sets. Riley Whitesides powers the Gamecock offense with 80 kills, an average of 4.21 kills per set. Alayna Johnson has also been an integral part of the attack with 57 kills.
SCOUTING STETSON
The Hatters (3-2) defeated Manhattan and Bethune Cookman to open their season in Daytona Beach. Stetson enters the weekend fresh off a 3-0 victory over UNC-Wilmington.
Annabelle Standish has a team-high 74 kills while Jenna Simmons has 40 in support. FIU defeated Stetson 3-1 last season on Sept. 15, 2023. The Panthers lead the all-time series 13-4.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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