MIAMI — FIU's volleyball program battled with Miami on Saturday afternoon, falling in four sets to the Hurricanes to close out the 305 Challenge in Coral Gables.
FIU (2-11) went toe-to-toe with Miami (9-2), who was receiving votes in the latest AVCA Poll, in the opening set, winning 26-24. The Panthers had 15 kills in the opening frame and hit .235.
FIU was then bested by the Hurricanes in the final three frames as UM took the match in four sets at home.
Kira Givans posted a team-high 11 kills, attacking at .250 clip to pace the offensive effort. Jillian Huckabey had double-digit kills for her fourth-straight match and ninth overall in 2024, finishing with 10 kills.
Kaylee Musick facilitated the attack with 30 assists, adding seven digs and a service ace. Mandi Morioka anchored the back line with 13 digs, chipping in three assists from her libero position. Kindyl Kilar picked up eight digs in support, playing as a defensive specialist.
The Panthers and Hurricanes went back-and-forth in the opening frame as both sides were in striking distance for much of the set. Down 18-15, FIU mad its push with four-straight points, capped by a kill from Madison Morgan, to force a Miami timeout.
Despite the Hurricanes tying the score at 24-all late, two kills from Travel Morris and a set-winner from Huckabey gave the Panthers the win, 26-24.
FIU also had the advantage at the midway point of the second set as Huckabey and Feldkamp had back-to-back kills to give the Panthers the 14-13 lead. Miami then ripped off a 12-4 run from that point to win the set, 25-18, and tie the match at 1-all.
Set three featured an early run from the Hurricanes, of which allowed them to cruise to a 25-10 win.
In the deciding fourth set, a Musick service ace had FIU up 8-7 early. Miami found a four-point run to go up 12-9, however, and never relinquished the lead, winning 25-16.
UP NEXT
FIU will host UTEP to open its Conference USA (CUSA) slate on Sept. 27-28 inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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