Miami, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University volleyball delivered a 3–1 victory over Florida International Thursday evening. The win marks the Eagles' 15th straight over the Panthers.
Julija Grubisic Cabo and
Barbara Koehler each finished with 11 kills to lead the Eagles (5–4).
Ava Smith had eight kills, while
Catharina Scorza added eight from 16 attempts, finishing with a .375 attacking percentage
Setter
Hanna Borer orchestrated the offense with 20 assists and 14 digs, and
Iyanna Battle contributed a career-high eight block assists along with six kills.
FGCU hit .298 as a team, while holding FIU (5–5) to a .153 attacking percentage. The Eagles also finished with 60 digs and 28 block assists, led by Battle's six.
"We got off to a little bit of a slow start, but found our rhythm and played well the last three sets," head coach Thais Baziquetto-Allen said. "We were very balanced offensively with a number of contributors and our block was right where we needed it to be most of the night."
FIU started hot in the first set, gaining a 13–6 advantage, but the Eagles remained calm and went on a 15–8 run to tie the match at 21-all. FIU responded, taking the close set 25-23.
In set two, the Green & Blue worked its way up to a 21-15 lead and never let up, pushing all the way to a 25-20 win.
Set three mirrored the second as the Eagles found an offensive rhythm, leading 19-15. FIU scored three points to the Eagles' one to cut the deficit to 20-18, but FGCU sealed the set 25-20.
In the fourth set, the Eagles once again outpaced the Panthers, jumping to a 21-14 lead, highlighted by three kills each from
Erica Muhizi and Grubisic Cabo, closing out the match 25-18.
FGCU will next face the University of Miami (8-1) Friday at 6 p.m. in Coral Gables, Florida.
