Florida International University Athletics women’s volleyball defeated Louisiana 3-2 on Sept. 12 in Tallahassee, completing a sweep of the Florida A&M Invitational. FIU won 23-25, 25-17, 26-24, 23-25, 15-11 to extend its winning streak to three matches. The Panthers also tied their season high with 68 kills.
Lana Sesar led FIU with 24 kills and 10 digs for her second 20-kill match of the season. Jillian Huckabey added 15 kills, including the match-clinching kill in the fifth set, while Chiara Fabbrini finished with 11 kills. FIU hit .241 in the match, compared with Louisiana’s .167.
FIU closes out five-set victory
Louisiana took the opening set 25-23 after FIU held a 10-4 lead and later moved within one point at 21-20. FIU answered with a 25-17 win in the second set, then took the third 26-24 after Chiara Fabbrini delivered a kill and an ace late in the frame. Louisiana forced the deciding set by winning the fourth 25-23.
Louisiana opened the fifth set with a 3-0 lead, but FIU rallied to tie the score on two blocks involving Rayne Williams. A 6-0 run that included three kills and a block from Sesar gave FIU a 10-6 advantage. Huckabey finished the match with her 15th kill as FIU won the fifth set 15-11.
Marta Lazzarin led FIU with 17 digs, while Ivona Lazovic recorded 30 assists and Mariana Silva added 20. Kamryn Itzen had seven total blocks as FIU finished with 12 team blocks. Gina Fedrigo and Kamryn Itzen contributed to consecutive block assists in the opening set, while Williams recorded an ace and contributed to two blocks in the fifth.
Sesar and Lazzarin earn all-tournament honors
Sesar and Lazzarin were named to the Florida A&M Invitational All-Tournament team. Sesar totaled 49 kills, 29 digs, five aces and seven total blocks during the tournament. Lazzarin finished the event with 50 digs, 18 assists and five aces.
FIU is scheduled to play Florida State in Tallahassee on Sunday at noon. Florida State is identified as receiving votes.
Source: Original report