MIAMI– FIU’s volleyball program overcame a 2-0 deficit before losing to 25th-ranked Arkansas in five sets at the 305 Challenge on Friday night.
The Panthers (2-10) trailed after the first two sets against the Razorbacks (9-2), but made a furious comeback in sets three and four. In a back-and-forth fifth set, Arkansas made the final push and took the 3-2 victory, narrowly fending off an upset from FIU.
Jillian Huckabey drove the Panther attack with 19 kills in 55 attempts. Kira Givans started and scored 13 kills to support FIU’s offense. Anna Feldkamp And Travel Morris were also instrumental in the comeback with a total of 15 kills.
Kaylee Musick had 40 assists, her most so far this season. The Panthers shone defensively with 80 digs, led by Mandi Morioka’s 19. Musick and Huckabey each had double-doubles with 18 and 15, respectively. Kindyl Kilar played only as a defensive specialist and had 13 digs.
Arkansas took a 14-7 lead in the first set and finished the round 25-20. FIU also trailed 13-6 in the second set and lost the second round to the Razorbacks 25-14.
After trailing 17-13 in the third set, the Panthers turned the game around with a series of six points in a row. FIU was ahead 22-21 late and picked up more points with a kill from Huckabey, an ace from Morioka and an attack error from Arkansas to win the third set 25-21.
Set four was dominated by the Panthers, as FIU led 10-5 at the start. A Feldkamp kill gave the Panthers a six-point lead at 23-17, and two Razorback errors gave FIU a 25-19 lead in set four.
Both sides traded points early in the fifth as they fought for control of the deciding period. Arkansas took an 8-5 lead, but a kill from Madison Morgan reduced FIU’s deficit to three points, trailing only 10-7. The Razorbacks found their form late and finished the set 15-11, giving them the 3-2 victory.
Next
FIU will face Miami in Coral Gables on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. ET to conclude its 305 Challenge weekend.
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