DALLAS, Texas – FIU libero Mandi Morioka has been named Conference USA (CUSA) Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon.
 
The senior anchored the back row during a standout weekend at the Duke Tournament, helping the Panthers to a pair of wins, including a four-set upset over Duke on Sunday, Aug. 31.
 
Morioka tallied 45 digs across the three matches, averaging 4.50 per set. She notched a season-high 18 digs in the straight-set sweep of Bryant on Saturday, Aug. 30, before adding 14 more in the victory over Duke. In the season opener against Houston on Friday, Aug. 29, she contributed 13 digs. She sits third in the conference in digs.
 
Her efforts earned FIU's first weekly honor of the 2025 season.
 
A preseason All-Conference selection, Morioka started all three matches and also recorded nine assists on the weekend, including five against Duke.
 
This marks the third CUSA weekly honor of her career, with previous accolades coming on Sept. 25, 2023, and Oct. 28, 2024.

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.