HIALEAH, Fla. (Sept. 17, 2025) — Florida National women's volleyball (6-10) put on a show at Bucky Dent Park, falling in a five-set thriller to the Webber International University Warriors (3-13). Ariana Long and freshman Chriselle Ferdinand combined for 33 kills in front of a packed crowd in Hialeah, Fla.

FNU's first game back at Bucky Dent Gym since the 2023 season drew in a massive crowd and did not disappoint. In set one, the Conquistadors looked comfortable with an easy 25-15 set one victory. Webber struggled with six early attacking missteps, and freshman Keelee Okoro's kill was able to end the set on a bump pass from Ivette Sandoval.

Webber leveled the game with a competitive 25-22 victory in set two before falling behind once again in a 27-25 loss in frame three. The second set of the match saw the Warriors put up 14 kills, sealing the deal on a kill by Kaylee Hunt. Set three was where FNU posted its final lead of the contest, thanks to a combined six kills from Ferdinand and Kitula Amaya Morales. Notably, Morales' eighth kill of the game handed FNU the third set win and set up FNU for a thrilling fourth. 

Webber, to its credit, kept itself alive with a clutch 25-22 victory. A service error from sub Ailanie Ortega ended the period and pushed FNU to play its first five-set match of the 2025 season. Webber secured the win despite collecting only eight kills to FNU's 15 in the fourth. Despite some great effort from FNU defensively, Webber used the momentum from a must-win fourth to score an early 9-3 lead in the fifth. 

FNU fought back valiantly, using kills from Ferdinand and Long to keep itself in the game before Webber got the win on a kill from Kalyn Morgan. Notably, Sandoval and Taysha Ortega combined for 51 assists in the loss.

Up Next: FNU hits the road again Sept. 25 for a 6:30 p.m. contest against Trinity College of Florida.