MIAMI — FIU's volleyball program erased a 2-0 deficit before falling in five sets to 25th-ranked Arkansas on Friday evening at the 305 Challenge. 

The Panthers (2-10) trailed the Razorbacks (9-2) after the first two frames, but mounted a furious comeback in sets three and four. In a back-and-forth fifth set, Arkansas made the final push to earn the 3-2 victory, narrowly fending off an FIU upset. 

Jillian Huckabey fueled the Panther attack with 19 kills on 55 attempts. Kira Givans started and racked up 13 kills to add to the FIU offense. Anna Feldkamp and Travel Morris were also instrumental in the comeback, totaling a combined 15 kills. 

Kaylee Musick had 40 assists, her most so far this season. The Panthers excelled on the defensive end with 80 digs led by Mandi Morioka's 19. Musick and Huckabey each had double-doubles with 18 and 15, respectively. Kindyl Kilar played only as a defensive specialist and had 13 digs.

Arkansas raced out to a 14-7 lead in set one and finished off the frame, 25-20. FIU found itself trailing 13-6 in set two as well, falling to the Razorbacks in the second frame, 25-14. 

Down 17-13 in the third set, the Panthers flipped the match around with a run of six-straight points. Ahead 22-21 late, FIU got successive points from a Huckabey kill, Morioka ace and Arkansas attack error to take the third set, 25-21. 

Set four was dominated by the Panthers as FIU led 10-5 early on. A Feldkamp kill put the Panthers up six, 23-17, and two Razorback errors to follow gave FIU set four, 25-19. 

Both sides traded points to begin the fifth as they struggled for control of the deciding frame. Arkansas took an 8-5 lead, but a kill from Madison Morgan put FIU back within three, trailing just 10-7. The Razorbacks found their form late and finished off the set, 15-11, to earn the 3-2 victory. 

UP NEXT

FIU takes on Miami in Coral Gables on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET to conclude its weekend at the 305 Challenge. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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