Panthers Defeat Lady Flames 3-1

LYNCHBURG, Va. - For the second day in a row, FIU posted a 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 25-19) win over Liberty, Saturday at Liberty Arena.

With the win, its sixth straight CUSA victory, FIU improves to 14-9, 8-2 in Conference USA play. Meanwhile, the Lady Flames fall to 16-7, 4-6 in conference play.

Notable Numbers

The Panthers outhit the Lady Flames, .297-.190. FIU led in kills (63-43), aces (10-7) and digs (57-55). Liberty led 11-8 in blocks. FIU committed 16 service errors, compared to five for Liberty.
Kira Givens led all players with 17 kills for FIU, followed by 16 kills and three aces by Rebekah Pfeffercorn. Jillian Huckabey recorded a double-double for the second day in a row, with 11 kills and 16 digs to go along with three aces. Savannah Cook dished out a Liberty Arena-record 59 assists. Mandi Morioka collected 17 digs and served up three aces, while Magda Stambrowska totaled nine kills and six blocks.
Jenna Otts sent down a team-high 15 kills for Liberty, while Carly O'Brien secured her second double-double in a row with 13 kills and 14 digs to go along with a career-high four blocks. Layla Collins' career-high seven blocks were a match high. Alison Bierwagen contributed 25 assists, two kills, three aces, two digs and two blocks.

Turning Point

Liberty trailed the match 2-0 and faced a 23-22 deficit in set three. Alison Bierwagen's serve, which was originally ruled out, was called an ace upon video review, tying the set at 23-23. The Lady Flames then scored the next two points to extend the match.
FIU's early leads proved to be too much to overcome for the Lady Flames in the fourth set, which the Panthers won, 25-19.

Quick Hits

FIU leads the all-time series in volleyball against Liberty, 5-2, with the Panthers winning each of the last five meetings.
O'Brien has posted 11 double-doubles this season. Liberty's double-double leader last year, Kate Gammer, finished with 11 double-doubles for the entire 2024 season.
Laney Daniell celebrated her 19^th birthday by posting four kills and three blocks.
Cook's Liberty Arena-record 59 assists broke the previous mark of 58, set by Liberty's Delaney Dilfer against Jacksonville, Oct. 14, 2022

Up Next
The Lady Flames return to the road for their next four matches against CUSA newcomers, beginning with contests at Delaware, Friday and Saturday.

Schedule

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Team Stats

Jenna Otts

Carly O'Brien

Paige Overcash

Laney Daniell

Players Mentioned

Alison Bierwagen

Layla Collins

Laney Daniell

Kate Gammer

Carly O'Brien

Jenna Otts