Florida International University Athletics’ women’s volleyball team defeated Liberty 3-0 on Oct. 17 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. FIU won the sets 25-23, 25-21 and 25-17 to improve to 12-9 overall and 3-5 in Conference USA. Liberty fell to 12-8 overall and 4-4 in CUSA.
FIU overcame a 17-14 deficit in the opening set by taking a 19-18 lead after three Liberty attack errors, a service error and a set error. Liberty later moved ahead 22-20, but Chiara Fabbrini answered with two kills as FIU took a 24-22 advantage. Liberty sent its next serve long, giving FIU the 25-23 win.
FIU pulls away in final two sets
FIU recorded 16 kills and hit .333 in the second set. Two kills from Jillian Huckabey helped put FIU ahead 17-13, and the lead grew to 20-13 after kills by Rayne Williams and Marla Valentin. Williams set Huckabey for the final point in a 25-21 victory.
Liberty tied the third set at 14 before FIU went on a 9-1 run. Ivona Lazovic tied the score with a dump, and Rayne Williams and Kamryn Itzen followed with back-to-back blocks. After two more kills from Huckabey, Lana Sesar and Williams combined on a block assist before Sesar closed out the set, 25-17, and the match, 3-0.
Huckabey leads FIU attack
Huckabey led FIU with nine kills. The Panthers hit .206 for the match, while Liberty hit .183.
Williams recorded five blocks, including two solo blocks, tying her season high in solo blocks. FIU finished with seven blocks overall and out-served Liberty 8-2. Teodora Skocajic recorded three aces.
Marta Lazzarin posted a match-high 16 digs in three sets. Her defensive effort helped FIU complete the sweep without allowing Liberty to win a set.
What comes next for FIU
FIU is scheduled to play Jax State in Jacksonville on Oct. 23. The match is listed for 7 p.m. Eastern time.
FSB Take
FIU’s straight-set victory featured production in every major area. Huckabey led the attack with nine kills, Williams anchored the blocking effort and Skocajic supplied three aces as FIU secured its 12th overall win.
Source: Original report