FORT MYERS, Fla. — Freshman Katie Gielas posted a career-high 20 kills as Florida Gulf Coast University's volleyball team delivered a 3–2 reverse sweep over Florida International on Tuesday evening at Alico Arena.

It marked the first reverse sweep of the season for the Eagles and extended their winning streak over the Panthers to 16 straight, improving the all-time series to 16–5.

Julija Grubisic Cabo recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 14 kills and 13 digs. Ava Smith was one short of her personal best with 12 kills, while Eliska Vytiskova registered a double-double with 19 assists, 11 digs and a team-high six aces.

Hanna Borer anchored the offense with a season-best 35 assists and two aces. Abby Toeniskoetter added nine kills and three blocks, and Camila Soto and Erica Muhizi combined for 12 kills off the bench.
 
"I thought it was a very gutsy effort by our group tonight," said head coach Thais Baziquetto-Allen. "Katie was outstanding all the way around and certainly didn't play like a freshman making her second career start! We worked on a couple of specific things in practice yesterday and made big improvements in those areas in the match tonight."

The Eagles (12–7, 6–2 ASUN) hit .247 overall and recorded 65 digs and nine aces. Gielas led FGCU with a .395 hitting percentage, while the team totaled 18 block assists.

In set one, FGCU led 21–19 before FIU (12–9, 6–2 CUSA) closed with a 6–2 run to take the opener, 25–23. In set two the Panthers again surged late, overcoming a 20–21 deficit to win 26–24 and take a 2–0 match lead.

FGCU responded in set three, breaking a 19–19 tie with a 6–1 rally to win 25–20. In the fourth set after FIU built a 12–7 advantage, the Eagles stormed back with a 14–8 run highlighted by three kills each from Grubisic Cabo and Smith to take the frame, 25–20.

In the decisive fifth set FIU led 13-12, before the Green & Blue took flight and silenced the Panthers with three straight points to win 15-13 for the reverse sweep.

The Eagles return to ASUN Conference play Friday, hosting North Florida (8–13, 2–6 ASUN) at 6 p.m. at Alico Arena.