Friday, October 25, 2002

New Mexico State defeats FIU to stay atop the West Division, 3-0

IU loses to New Mexico State, 3-0 (30-24, 30-23, 30-16), in Golden Panther Arena. Adriana Fundora led the Golden Panthers (6-17, 1-7 Sun Belt) with 11 kills, her 17th match in double figures.

The Aggies were able to take game one, as FIU helped with 14 errors, including four on serves. Fundora and NMSU's Stevi Adams had five kills each for the game high. Adams would end up with a match-high 12 kills and 13 digs. FIU clawed back from a 17-11 hole to trail by one, 20-19, before New Mexico State took the game.

NMSU took game two, after falling behind 15-13, on a kill by FIU's Charlyn Ball-Llovera. Ball-Llovera had four kills in the game, while the Aggies Trinia Cuseo had a game-high six.

The Aggies took control of game three early, going up 13-4, and never looking back. FIU's Oksana Zablueva had four kills in the game, while NMSU's Morgan Reader added 11 set assists, for a match-high 35.

Vanessa Gonzalez-Vinas digged ten shots, her ninth in double figures on the season.

The loss was FIU's fifth consecutive in conference, while New Mexico State (18-5, 8-1 Sun Belt) strengthened its lead in the West Division, going up one game over North Texas. The Mean Green had a late game on Friday.

The Sun Belt Conference Championship will be held in Golden Panther Arena from November 21-23.

The Golden Panthers play again tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. at GPA against Sun Belt opponent Denver.