Don't fault FIU outside hitter Isadora Rangel if she forgets how many consecutive matches the Golden Panthers' volleyball team has won.

The last time FIU lost this season, the fall semester had just started.

``I don't even count anymore,'' said Rangel, whose team last lost on Sept. 12 to Florida State. ``We had a good signing class, the two freshmen have helped, a lot of other players have gotten better and Olga [Vergun] is back, so I guess we could have expected a good season.''

FIU is enjoying more than just a good season.

The Panthers currently have won a school-record 17 consecutive matches and stand at 24-2 and 14-0 in the Sun Belt Conference.

And although three-time All-American Yarimar Rosa is having another stellar season, setter Natalia Valentin is sixth in the nation in assists and Vergun is just behind Rosa for most kills in FIU history, the role players such as Rangel have contributed just as much to FIU's success.

``People don't see the players who are bonding the team,'' FIU coach Danijela Tomic said. ``Isadora was the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year last season, and she has moved around for the good of the team. The team is very unselfish. They all understand this is what makes a great team. A team is not made just from stars.''

Rangel moved from outside hitter to the right side when Sabrina Gonzalez hurt her ankle in Denver and helped FIU to its ninth consecutive win.

Another unheralded Panther has been Ines Medved, who has played every position but middle blocker since her freshman season.

Because of injuries to other players, Medved, a junior, has played outside hitter, right side and trained to be a setter this season.

``People don't understand that we are 16 individuals that play as a true whole team,'' sophomore Andrea Lakovic said. ``We all know Yari [Rosa] is amazing, but there are 15 other girls that are always ready to step up.''

JOHNSON & WALES

The Wildcats men's basketball team begins its first year as members of the Sun Conference this fall.

Johnson & Wales (11-17 last season) is coached by David Graham and returns three starters.

Forward Stephen Nosworthy leads J&W. The 6-9 senior averaged 12.1 points per game and 7.8 rebounds last season.

Guard Antonio Burgos led the Wildcats with 12.4 points per game last season. Senior David Tucker also is expected to contribute for the Wildcats. Tucker, who redshirted last season, averaged 10 points and 11.7 rebounds in 2007-08.

ST. THOMAS

Three Bobcats were named to the All-Sun Conference's men's soccer team.

Goalkeeper Aaron Jones and forward Thiago Rocha made the first team, and defender Daniel De La Cruz made the second team.

Jones led the Bobcats to a 10-4-3 mark, recording five shutouts. Rocha scored eight goals and had three assists. De La Cruz was a key component of the Bobcats defense.

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN

Nova Southeastern men's cross-country runner Matt Meagher earned a spot on the 2009 All-Sunshine State Conference men's cross-country team.

Meagher ran NSU's top 8K time of the 2009 season. He clocked a career-best 25:57.97 at the Sunshine State Conference Championships, which placed sixth at the meet.

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