MIAMI – The FIU volleyball program opened Conference USA (CUSA) play on a high note Friday evening, defeating Missouri State in four sets at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
 
FIU (7-6, 1-0 CUSA) claimed the first two sets, 26-24 and 25-20, before the Bears answered with a 25-15 win in the third. The Panthers responded in the fourth, closing the match with a 25-19 victory on a 3-0 run to secure their first conference win of the season.
 
Several Panthers delivered standout performances. Sophomore Jillian Huckabey recorded her first double-double of the season with 10 kills and 14 digs, while adding two service aces and two blocks.
 
Four Panthers reached double figures in kills. Courtney O'Brien posted 11 kills and 11 digs for her third-straight double-digit effort. Freshman Rebekah Pfefferkorn tallied 11 kills for her fourth career match with 10 or more, adding four digs and two blocks.
 
Junior Emma Beretich also notched 11 kills while leading the team with four blocks—her fourth straight match with four or more. She continues to lead FIU with 41 blocks on the year.
 
At setter, Savannah Cook paced the attack with 44 assists, while senior libero Mandi Morioka anchored the defense with 21 digs. Kambree Rodriguez chipped in with five digs.

As a team, FIU recorded 52 kills with 59 digs.

UP NEXT
FIU closes out the five-match homestand on Saturday, Sept. 27 at noon taking on the Missouri State Bears. It will be streamed live on ESPN+.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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