MIAMI – The FIU volleyball program rolled to a dominant straight-set victory on Saturday afternoon, sweeping Missouri State from the Ocean Bank Convocation Center to begin league play 2-0.
 
FIU (8-6, 2-0 CUSA) secured the win with set scores of 26-24, 25-15, and 25-19, completing a two-match sweep of the Bears to open Conference USA play. The victory also marked the Panthers' fourth sweep of the season.
 
Senior Kira Givans delivered a career performance, registering 20 kills to surpass her previous career-high of 19, set earlier this season against Duke (Aug. 31). The outing marked her seventh double-digit kill effort of the season.
 
Junior Courtney O'Brien continued her strong play with her fourth consecutive double-double, finishing with 14 kills and 12 digs.

Sophomore Jillian Huckabey added six kills, 18 digs, and two service aces, while freshman Rebekah Pfefferkorn contributed a season-high five blocks to go with five kills.
 
Setter Savannah Cook posted a double-double with 40 assists and 12 digs, while libero Mandi Morioka anchored the defense with a team-high 19 digs.
 
FIU used a decisive 8-2 run in the opening set to overcome a 12-10 deficit before closing out the frame, then dominated the second set by pulling away on a 15-5 run. The third set featured back-and-forth play, but the Panthers sealed the sweep with a late 5-1 surge.

As a team, the Panthers recorded 53 kills and 50 assists.

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.