MIAMI - The FIU volleyball team kicks off its 2025 campaign on Friday, Aug. 29, facing Houston as it embarks on a challenging slate that includes programs from the Big 12, ACC, and SEC, before diving into a 16-match Conference USA (CUSA) schedule running from Sept. 26 to Nov. 15.
RETURNERS LOOK TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Head coach
Cristina Robertson, entering her fourth season, returns seven starters from the 2024 squad, highlighted by Preseason All-Conference selection
Mandi Morioka and 2024 CUSA All-Freshman Team member
Jillian Huckabey.
Rising senior Morioka, in her third year with the Panthers, appeared in 33 matches in 2024. Serving as the team's primary libero, she played in 124 sets, recording 543 digs—the most in CUSA—and averaged 4.38 digs per set, ranking her among the nation's top 75. She also led FIU with 33 service aces and tallied 111 assists, the second-most by a libero in the league.
Opposite hitter Huckabey made an immediate impact in her freshman season, starting 30 matches and recording a team-high 349 kills with a 3.06 kills-per-set average, including three 20-plus kill matches.
Setter
Savannah Cook started 22 matches last season, logging 801 assists at an 8.71-per-set average, and has now started 50 matches over her two seasons at FIU. Outside hitter
Courtney O'Brien appeared in 32 matches and 111 sets in 2024. Senior
Madison Morgan, redshirt
Kira Givans, junior
Kindyl Kilar, and sophomore
Kaylee Musick round out a seasoned core ready to lead the Panthers.
NEWCOMERS READY TO SHINE
FIU adds 11 newcomers to the roster, led by senior
Magda Stambrowska from St. John's. The Katowice, Poland native played in 37 matches and 138 sets last season, totaling 256 kills, and has amassed 599 kills over 106 career matches.
Fairfield transfer
Emma Beretich joins after posting 108 kills in 86 sets last season, previously playing 79 sets at West Virginia in 2023. Freshman
Natalie Powers, an all-conference selection in high school from Mukwonago, Wis., is expected to make an immediate impact as a libero with over 1,000 career digs. Graduate student
Sofie Vogel, who competed with FIU's beach volleyball program in spring 2025, returns to indoor volleyball after previously appearing in 65 matches at College of Charleston.
LOOKING AHEAD
FIU opens the season at the Duke Tournament in Durham, N.C., on Friday, Aug. 29, against Houston, followed by a matchup with Duke on Sunday, Aug. 31.
The Panthers will host the 305 Challenge at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center from Sept. 5–7, welcoming Stetson, Drake, and UCF. From Sept. 12–14, FIU travels to the Georgia Tournament to face Georgia Southern, Presbyterian, and host Georgia. Non-conference play continues with the 305 Invitational from Sept. 18–20, featuring FGCU, Coastal Carolina, and a crosstown clash with Miami on Saturday, Sept. 20.
Conference play begins Sept. 26–27 at home against Missouri State. FIU will also host the 2025 C-USA Championship from Nov. 21–23 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
UP NEXT
The season begins on Friday, Aug. 29 in Durham, N.C. as the Panthers take on the Houston Cougars in the Duke Tournament. Match is set at 3 p.m. and can be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
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.
