MIAMI —  FIU's volleyball program opened its Conference USA (CUSA) slate with a 3-0 defeat to UTEP on Friday evening inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. 

The Panthers (2-12, 0-1 CUSA) battled in a back-and-forth opening set before falling to the Miners (11-2, 1-0 CUSA) in straight sets. Travel Morris and Kira Givans led FIU with seven kills each. Anna Feldkamp hit .400 with five kills in two sets.

Kaylee Musick dished out 23 assists and added four digs and 2.0 blocks. Mandi Morioka racked up 19 digs to lead the defensive effort. 

In the first set, FIU led 24-20 before UTEP stormed back to take the frame, 28-26. The Miners then used this momentum to win sets two and three by identical 25-16 scores. 

The Panthers had 15 kills as did UTEP in the opening set. Ahead just 21-20, FIU built its 24-20 lead with a three-point run capped by a Jillian Huckabey service ace. The Miners fended off a total of five match points down the stretch to earn the first set victory. 

UP NEXT

FIU and UTEP face off again tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The match will have live stats and will be streaming 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.