The incredible season that FIU has had this year coupled with a first place seed in the conference tournament was placing them in excellent position for not only the NCAA Tournament but also a top seed.
In last weeks Sun Belt Tournament FIU came out flat barely getting by the University Of South Alabama and loosing the semifinal round to New Orleans. That loss took FIU from high seed in the NCAA Tournament to being on the bubble of even getting in. With their backs against the wall they had to defeat the University of South Florida in Tampa. FIU showed their resilience as they swept the USF Bulls 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-17).
As a result of that Victory FIU has solidified it's chance of being invited to the NCAA Tournament.
Yarimar Rosa (15) and Isadora Rangel (14) combined for 29 kills to improve the Golden Panthers to a 28-6 record. Both had a great hitting percentage with Rosa at .444 and Rangel at .360. The team hit .351, their highest hitting percentage since Oct. 25 at Arkansas State.
Freshman Angelina Colon had a match-high 13 digs as FIU had 34 digs to USF’s 19. Sophomore Natalia Valentin had 29 assists to lead all players. Andrea Lakovic added seven kills to just one error while hitting .429. She also had four blocks to lead the match.
FIU handled South Florida’s main offensive threat in junior Marcela Gurgel. Gurgel had been averaging 4.43 kills per set, the 13th best mark in the NCAA. However, she was held to just eight kills and forced eight errors.
A win is almost assured when FIU holds their opponents to hit .250 or lower this season. FIU’s record in that situation is now 27-2 after holding USF to .133.
There were only five lead changes throughout the three sets and the Golden Panthers never trailed past the 10 point mark.
The Bulls (17-14) were led by Mariana Thon’s 17 assists and seven digs.
FIU now awaits the NCAA Selection Committee’s decision to see if they are one of the teams to get an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships. The NCAA Volleyball Tournament selection show is currently set to air on ESPNU from 10-10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 30.
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