MIAMI – The FIU volleyball program opens its home slate this weekend, hosting the annual 305 Challenge from Sept. 5–7 inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

Friday, Sept. 5 vs Stetson (1-2)

• Time / Site: 6 p.m. ET at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• ESPN+
• Live Stats 
• Season Poster Giveaway for All Fans
• Post-match Autograph signing

Saturday, Sept. 6 vs Drake (1-2)

• Time / Site: 2:30 p.m. ET at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• ESPN+
• Live Stats 
• Youth Volleyball Day

Sunday, Sept. 7 vs UCF (3-0)

• Time / Site: 12 p.m. ET at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• ESPN+
• Live Stats 
• Free FIU T-Shirts for first 50 fans

The Panthers will welcome Stetson, Miami, North Texas, UCF, and Drake for a six-match weekend, highlighted by home contests against Stetson, Drake, and UCF to close out the tournament.
 
FIU enters the weekend coming off a strong showing at the Duke Tournament, finishing 2-1 with back-to-back victories, including a four-set win over Duke on Sunday, Aug. 31. The triumph marked the Panthers' first win over an ACC opponent since Sept. 10, 2009 (vs. Miami) and their first victory over a Power 4 program since Sept. 17, 2022 (vs. Rutgers). Additionally, FIU earned its first win of 2025 with a straight-set sweep of Bryant on Saturday, Aug. 30.
 
Libero Mandi Morioka was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week after totaling 45 digs across three matches (4.50 per set). She recorded a season-high 18 digs against Bryant and added 14 more in the win over Duke.
 
Offensively, Kira Givans paced the attack with 34 kills, including a career-high 19 against Duke. Setter Savannah Cook distributed 92 assists, highlighted by a season-best 44, while junior transfer Emma Beretich posted double-digit assists in all three matches and added seven blocks versus Bryant. Magda Stambrowska chipped in 10 kills against Bryant, sophomore Jillian Huckabey added 14 kills across the weekend, and Courtney O'Brien started all three matches.

SCOUTING STETSON
Stetson enters the weekend with a 1-2 record after competing in the Stetson Hatter Invitational. The Hatters picked up their first win of the season against Northern Illinois in five sets before falling to Lamar and Southern Mississippi.

Xinlei Yang leads the team with 31 kills, including 18 against Lamar, while Zuzanna Bury follows with 25 kills on the year in addition to 74 assists. Nyah Molina has anchored the defense with 55 digs through three matches, while Jenna Simmons has dished out a team-high 82 assists.

SCOUTING DRAKE
Drake also comes into the 305 Challenge with a 1-2 mark after taking part in the WKU Invitational. The Bulldogs' lone victory came against Western Kentucky, who has received votes in the national rankings. Macy Daufeldt has been the offensive leader with 56 kills and was named to the All-Tournament Team after recording double-doubles in all three matches. Addison Beagle has tallied 75 assists, Bliss Beck leads with 16 blocks, and Emaline Handzel has contributed 44 digs.

SCOUTING UCF
UCF arrives in Miami with momentum after sweeping all three matches at its home tournament, defeating UT Chattanooga, Norfolk State, and UC Riverside. Amy Schomers registered 100 assists on the weekend, including 42 against UT Chattanooga, moving her to eighth all-time on UCF's career assists list.

Avah Armour paced the Knights with 36 kills, while Reaghan Thompson added 26 kills and 10 blocks. Defensively, Sophia Kotsovolos posted 36 digs across the three contests.

UCF is led by first-year head coach Matt Botsford, who previously spent 11 seasons at Florida Gulf Coast, winning four consecutive ASUN Conference Championships.

UP NEXT
FIU takes on Drake on Saturday, Sept. 6 inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center at 2 p.m.. 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.