MIAMI – The FIU volleyball program fell in four sets to the FGCU Eagles on Thursday evening at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

Four Panthers tallied seven or more kills, led by Rebekah Pfefferkorn with 10. Seniors Kira Givans and Courtney O'Brien each added nine kills, while sophomore Jillian Huckabey chipped in seven kills along with nine digs.

Junior transfer Emma Beretich anchored the defense at the net with a team-high four blocks. Senior libero Mandi Morioka collected 14 digs, and setter Kaylee Musick dished out 32 assists for the second consecutive match.

FIU claimed the opening set, 25-23, before the Eagles responded to take the next three by scores of 25-20, 25-20, and 25-18.

The Panthers jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the first set behind a pair of Pfefferkorn kills. After FGCU rallied to tie the score at 21, FIU closed on a decisive 5-1 run, capped by an O'Brien kill, to secure the early advantage.

In set two, FGCU broke an 11-8 lead open to 21-15 and held on for a 25-20 win. The third set saw FIU battle back to tie the frame at 4-4 on an O'Brien kill, but the Eagles created separation late, using a 5-2 run to pull away for another 25-20 victory.

The fourth set remained tight early, with the teams knotted at 8-8, before FGCU used a 3-0 run to build a 16-11 cushion and finish the match with a 25-18 win.

UP NEXT
FIU hosts Coastal Carolina on Friday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. from Ocean Bank Convocation Center. It will be streamed live 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.