FIU Volleyball split two matches against Kennesaw State

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MIAMI, FL – FIU Volleyball split two matches against Kennesaw State University this past weekend. Heading into this match, KSU was 0-2 in Conference USA play with a 6-8 overall record. FIU was 9-6 overall with a 0-2 CUSA record, looking to bounce back after two losses against Missouri State.

Additionally, this was Khat Bell’s first two matches as Temporary Assistant Volleyball Coach. Bell played for University of Texas and led them to one NCAA title in 2012 and two NCAA semifinal appearances. The hiring came on Wednesday September 30th just a few days before the home matches.

October 2nd @ 6 p.m.

It was a gritty win for FIU on Friday as they found themselves down two sets to none. In those two sets, errors piled up on the court with a combined .060 hitting percentage. Even the third set wasn’t efficient with a .093 hitting percentage and 10 total errors but FIU found a way to win that set and stay alive.

The fourth set was the cleanest set the Panthers played with 16 kills and just 6 errors. It felt like FIU was controlling play for a majority of the set. Out of the media timeout, FIU went 10-5 to win the set and tie the match. Four of the points KSU scored in that span were FIU errors. The final set was close with FIU winning it 15-13 and the final two points being KSU errors.

Junior Jillian Huckabey had double-double with 17 kills on 44 attempts and 15 digs. Graduate Chiara Fabbrini and Freshman Lana Sesar followed the kills with 13 and 15, respectively.

WHAT A NIGHT FOR JILLIAN 😟@jillianhuckabey pic.twitter.com/iUasPPSdbP

— FIU Volleyball (@FIUVolleyball) October 3, 2026

The main attackers in this match were Huckabey, Graduate Chiara Fabbrini, and Freshman Lana Sesar with 44, 41, and 37 total attempts respectively. These three players also led in kills combining for 45. Although she didn’t have many attempts, the most efficient scorer was Freshman Teodora Skocajic going 5-11 with one error.

Skocajic, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker from Novi Sad, Serbia, also led the team with four aces and five blocks. She has been a great player to provide depth scoring and blocking as well. Sophomore Ivona Lazovic continues to provide great sets, racking up 41 assists in the match. She exemplifies great awareness of where her teammates are to provide great opportunities.

A relentless team win by FIU for them to comeback and claim their fourth home win of the season.

October 3rd @ 1 p.m.

Saturday’s match went a little different than the day prior as errors consumed FIU. The first set had FIU quickly fall short 9-2 but with a little help from Huckabey, Sesar and co. they were able to cut the lead to 16-15. After FIU was able to comeback have a 24-22 for the set point, a pair of errors and kills by KSU gave them the 26-24 win for the set.

The second set was a more competitive where FIU jumped ahead to a 9-5 lead. However, KSU continued their hot streak and went on a 10-1 run. The one-point FIU made in that stretch was a KSU error. Additionally, after that 9-5 lead, FIU did not get their next kill for another 15 rallies.

In the final set, FIU again started with a decent lead, but KSU went on a 12-0 run. That span included a few kills by the Owls’ leaders in kills in Haley Patterson and Hunter Cook, as well as six FIU errors. Now FIU eventually came back to take a late lead with the help of Rayne Williams and Marla Valentin off the bench. Both teams went back and forth before KSU jumped ahead to take the final set.

what a swing!@RayneVolleyball pic.twitter.com/cuTPJ52cUF

— FIU Volleyball (@FIUVolleyball) October 3, 2026

Sophomore Williams played efficient on the court with 11 kills on 15 attempts and only one error, a .667 hitting percentage. Huckabey as well went 13-31 with a .290 hitting percentage

Back to the road

These past two matches at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center can show how a few mental mistakes can cost the match. However, if you look back to the first match it can also show how relentless this team can be when facing adversity.

FIU’s next matchups will be in Murfreesboro, Tennessee against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on October 9th and 10th. The games will be on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET on the 9th, and 3 p.m. ET on the 10th.

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