MIAMI – The FIU volleyball program opens Conference USA (CUSA) play this weekend, hosting league newcomer Missouri State at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

Friday, Sept. 26 vs Missouri State (5-6, 0-0 CUSA)

• Time / Site: 6 p.m. ET at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• Friday Night Fiesta 
• Vamos Panteras Hats to First 50 Students

Saturday, Sept. 27 vs Missouri State (5-6, 0-0 CUSA)

• Time / Site: 12 p.m. ET at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• Hispanic Heritage Game
• Navy Dale FIU Wristbands Giveaway

FIU (6-6) enters conference action after wrapping up non-conference tournament play at the 305 Invitational, where the Panthers went 1-2. FIU fell to FGCU and Miami, while earning a four-set victory over Coastal Carolina on Friday, Sept. 19.
 
The Panthers have qualified for the CUSA Tournament in each of the last three seasons under head coach Cristina Robertson and aim to make a fourth straight appearance this fall. FIU will also serve as host of the 2025 CUSA Championship, set for Nov. 21–23 in Miami.
 
Offensively, FIU is paced by senior Kira Givans, who is in the midst of a career year. Givans leads the team with 133 kills and has appeared in all 12 matches with 11 starts. The Sacramento, Calif., native posted 12 kills against Miami on Saturday, Sept. 20, marking her sixth match of the season with double-digit kills.
 
Junior Courtney O'Brien has been a steady force, recording 113 kills and 115 digs while producing back-to-back double-double performances against Coastal Carolina and Miami. She tallied a season-best outing versus the Chanticleers, finishing with 11 kills, 13 digs, and five service aces. O'Brien ranks second on the team in kills, digs, and service aces.
 
Freshman Rebekah Pfefferkorn has impressed early, contributing 88 kills across 12 matches. In the middle, Emma Beretich and Sofie Vogel have combined for 64 blocks, with Beretich leading the team at 37, including five against Miami. Vogel added nine kills in the win over Coastal Carolina.
 
On the right side, Jillian Huckabey has been a difference-maker from the service line, leading FIU with 16 aces—including seven over the last three matches—while adding 25 digs. She also notched seven kills and nine digs against FGCU. Setter Savannah Cook directs the attack with a team-high 286 assists, highlighted by back-to-back 30-plus assist efforts, including 32 in the win over Coastal Carolina.
 
Defensively, libero Mandi Morioka anchors the back row with a team-high 193 digs, ranking third in the conference. She recorded 22 digs against Coastal Carolina.
 
HISTORY WITH THE BEARS
This weekend marks the first-ever meeting between FIU and Missouri State. The Bears officially joined Conference USA prior to the 2025-26 academic year.
 
SCOUTING MISSOURI STATE
Missouri State enters conference play at 5-6 after going 1-2 at the Missouri Challenge, highlighted by a straight-set win over Kansas City on Sept. 20.
 
The Bears were projected to finish 10th in the league's preseason poll and are led by Peyton McKee (113 kills) and Rilynn Finley (108 kills). Libero Kya Johnson leads with 116 digs, while outside hitter Aniya Joseph adds 110 digs. Setters Rosanna Papa (211 assists) and Hannah Gardner (199 assists, 14 service aces) direct the offense, while Lizanyela Lopez (48 blocks) and Grace Smith (40 blocks) anchor the front line.

UP NEXT
FIU begins a pair of two-straight Conference USA matches on the road, beginning on Friday, Oct. 3 - Saturday, Oct. 4 taking on Kennesaw State in Kennesaw, Ga. Match on Friday, Oct. 3 is set for 6 p.m, inside the VyStar Arena 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.