ATHENS, Ga. – The FIU volleyball program heads to Athens, Georgia, this weekend to compete in the Bulldog Classic from Friday, Sept. 12 through Sunday, Sept. 14, marking its final road tournament of the season.

Friday, Sept. 12  vs Georgia Southern (6-0)

• Time / Site: 3 p.m. ET at Stegeman Coliseum
• Live Stats 

Saturday, Sept. 13 vs Presbyterian (2-4)

• Time / Site: 2 p.m. ET at Stegeman Coliseum
• Live Stats 

Sunday, Sept. 14 vs Georgia (5-1)

• Time / Site: 4 p.m. ET at Stegeman Coliseum
• SEC Network+
• Live Stats 

The Panthers look to bounce back after going 1-2 at the 305 Challenge. FIU opened the weekend with a win over Stetson on Sept. 5, before falling in a competitive five-set battle on Sept. 6 and dropping the finale to UCF on Sept. 7.
 
At the Bulldog Classic, FIU will face Georgia Southern on Friday, Sept. 12, Presbyterian on Saturday, Sept. 13, and SEC foe Georgia on Sunday, Sept. 14.
 
The Panthers enter the weekend with three wins, including a notable road victory at Duke on Aug. 31. That triumph marked FIU's first win over an ACC opponent since 2009 (Miami) and its first victory against a Power 4 program since 2022 (Rutgers).
 
Libero Mandi Morioka has paced the defense with 110 digs through six matches, highlighted by a career-high 29. The team sits with 353, which is second in the conference. She enters the weekend with 974 career digs, just 26 shy of 1,000, ranking 27th nationally and second in the American.
 
Offensively, Kira Givans leads the team with 73 kills across six starts, including 17 against Drake and 15 versus UCF. Courtney O'Brien has tallied double-digit kills in every match, recording back-to-back double-doubles over the weekend, highlighted by 15 kills and 12 digs in the win over Stetson. Rebekah Pfefferkorn has added 47 kills, including a season-high 18 against Stetson, while Emma Beretich ranks third with 50 kills.
 
Setter Savannah Cook has orchestrated the attack with 203 assists, posting a season-best 47 versus Stetson. Magda Stambrowska (12 kills) and Sofie Vogel (10) have also contributed to the offense.

SCOUTING GEORIGA SOUTHERN
Georgia Southern (6-0) enters the weekend undefeated after sweeping UNC Wilmington, Pacific, and Mercer at the Eagle Invitational.

Reagan Barth leads with 82 kills, recording three straight double-digit efforts.Kirsten Barrett has 182 assists, while Maddie Cugino anchors the defense with 118 digs.

This will be the fourth all-time meeting between FIU and Georgia Southern, with the last matchup in 2021.

SCOUTING PRESBYTERIAN
Presbyterian (2-4) went 1-2 at the UNF Invitational, picking up a Sept. 7 win over Harvard.

Ashley Miller leads with 81 kills, while Anisa Dorlouis has tallied 210 assists. Defensively, Aubrie Arnold (95 digs) and Dorlouis (90) anchor the back row. At the net, Courtney Williams (24 blocks) and Ava Smith (23) have combined for 47.

It'll mark the first meeting between both schools.

SCOUTING GEORGIA
Georgia (5-1) enters its home slate following a sweep at the Classic City Clash, with wins over Texas Tech and Duke. The Bulldogs' lone loss came in four sets against Clemson at the Showdown at the Net.

Bianna Muoneke leads with 76 kills, Kaiya Tyson has 107 assists, and Makena Lim has recorded 59 digs. At the net, Tori Harper and MK Patten each have 31 blocks, while Kendal Kemp follows with 30.

Sunday will mark the second all-time meeting, first coming on Aug. 31, 2012 in Tallahassee, Fla.

UP NEXT
FIU returns home for the 305 Invitational from Thursday, Sept. 18 - Saturday, Sept. 20. The first match on Thursday, Sept. 18 is at 6 p.m. vs FGCU from the Ocean Bank Convocation center and can be streamed 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.