MIAMI – The FIU volleyball program opens its 2025 season at the Duke Tournament in Durham, N.C., from Friday, Aug. 29 through Sunday, Aug. 31.
Friday, Aug. 29 vs Houston
Saturday, Aug. 30 vs Bryant
Sunday, Aug. 31 vs Duke
The Panthers will face Big 12 foe Houston in their opener on Friday before squaring off against Bryant on Saturday. FIU wraps up the weekend with an ACC matchup against host Duke on Sunday.
This marks the second straight year FIU will compete in the Duke Tournament, where they earned a win over Davidson last season. Head Coach Christinia Robertson enters her fourth year leading the Panthers and previously spent nearly a decade on Duke's staff (2009–2018) as an assistant coach.
FIU looks to build on its 2024 campaign that saw the Panthers reach the CUSA Tournament. The squad returns four starters, highlighted by Preseason All-Conference selection
Mandi Morioka and 2024 CUSA All-Freshman Team honoree
Jillian Huckabey.
Morioka, entering her senior season, anchored the defense in 2024 as the team's libero. She appeared in all 33 matches, tallying 543 digs to lead CUSA and rank among the nation's top 75 in digs per set (4.38). She also added 33 aces and 111 assists, the second-most by a league libero.
Huckabey made an immediate impact in her freshman campaign, starting 30 matches and leading FIU with 349 kills (3.06 per set), including three 20-plus kill performances.
The Panthers also welcome key newcomers, including senior transfer
Magda Stambrowska (St. John's), who has 599 career kills, and
Emma Beretich (Fairfield/West Virginia), who posted 108 kills last season. Freshman libero
Natalie Powers brings over 1,000 career digs from her high school career in Wisconsin. Graduate student
Sofie Vogel also returns to the indoor game after competing with FIU beach volleyball in spring 2025, previously appearing in 65 matches at the College of Charleston.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
The Cougars finished 12-16 (7-11 Big 12) in 2024 and return standout middle blockers Barakat Rahmon and Kellen Morin, who have combined for 359 career blocks. Right-side hitter Avery Shimaitiis adds scoring depth.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs enter their 50th season after going 18-10 in 2024 and are projected to finish fourth in the America East preseason poll. Key returners include preseason All-America East honoree Arianna Ugolini (300 kills in back-to-back seasons), setter Madison Koeller (230 assists), and blocker London Hunt (81 blocks).
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS
The Blue Devils look to bounce back from a 10-21 season (6-14 ACC). Outside hitter Taylor Williams was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2024, while Breonna Goss collected multiple ACC Freshman of the Week honors. FIU last faced Duke in last year's tournament, falling in three sets.
UP NEXT
FIU opens the home slate on Sept. 5 in the 305 Challenge as they host Stetson, Drake, and UCF. The first match vs Stetson is set for 6 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+ from the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
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.
