Huskies Pull Together To Finish Off Panthers

Sunday, September 10

Seattle, WA

12:00 PM

University of Washington

7-1,0-0Pac-12

Florida International

2-8,0-0CUSA

FIU

Washington

September 10, 2023 | Volleyball

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By: UW Athletic Communications

SEATTLE – The Husky Volleyball team received a tough challenge from Florida International today at Alaska Airlines Arena, but the Dawgs stepped up saving three set points in set three and then reached top gear in the fourth to earn a 25-21, 24-26, 28-26, 25-12 win in front of 1,846 fans. Audra Wilmes' 16 kills paced the Huskies while redshirt frosh Elise Hani had a career-high 10 kills.

Washington (7-1) won the Husky Invitational with a 3-0 record as May Pertofsky earned tournament MVP honors, and Wilmes and junior libero Lauren Bays were also named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Panthers played tough defense to hold the Huskies to just .187 attacking, but UW's defense was even stingier, as FIU hit just .116. Washington had a 56-41 advantage in kills and a 10-4 lead in aces, but FIU had 12.0 blocks compared to 9.0 for the Huskies. Digs were even with 55 for FIU and 54 for the Huskies.

Washington Wins!! The Huskies take the match in four sets and get their 7th-straight victory! ????#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/JPH0zmwNrv
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) September 10, 2023

UW avoided going down two sets to one with some clutch plays late in set three. Wilmes had tow kills in a row to save two-straight set points from 22-24 down to 24-all. FIU had one more set point chance but Wilmes responded once more and then the Huskies won the pivotal set on another Wilmes kill, and a set point finish from Pertofsky.

Washington then dominated the final set, ending on a high note with a .304 mark in the fourth, holding FIU to -.040.

Pertofsky ?? puts away the set!! Dawgs regain the lead, 2-1!

Let's finish!#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/1TUbrDPAXh
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) September 10, 2023

Wilmes hit .333 with her 16 kills, adding eight digs and two aces. Hani reached double-digit kills for the first time, hitting .438 on her ten kills and adding seven blocks. Bays had 18 digs with three more aces after she had six in Friday's win over UNLV.

Pertofsky and Madi Endsley also both reached double-figure kills with 12 and 11, respectively. Molly Wilson had 34 assists and 12 digs for her fifth double-double in eight matches this season.

UP NEXT: Washington won't be back home for nearly a month now, wrapping up nonconference play on the road next week in San Luis Obispo before starting Pac-12 play with two-straight weeks on the road. Next week UW plays at Cal Poly on Thursday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. then continues in SLO on Friday and Saturday against Pepperdine and Saint Mary's.