FORT MYERS, Fla. - Head coach Matt Botsford and the FGCU volleyball program has announced the signing of three student-athletes for the 2018-19 recruiting class.

The class includes Victoria "Tori" Morris, a 6-0 middle blocker of Floyd E. Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Va., Chelsey Lockey, a 5-9 setter from Eaton High School in Eaton, Colo., and Dana Axner, a 5-8 defensive specialist/libero from Dublin Coffman High School in Dublin, Ohio.

"This class fills some very important roles for us and provides us with a lot of flexibility heading into next season," Botsford said. "With the loss of only one senior heading into next fall, we are adding a lot of talent to a very experienced and accomplished group.  All three players have the ability to contribute early and will make our gym better the second the set foot on campus."

Victoria "Tori" Morris
6-0 Middle Blocker
Floyd E. Kellam/Virginia Beach, Va.

Morris is a two-time all-conference selection at Floyd E. Kellam, where she helped lead her team to a Group 6A state championship in 2016. As a senior, she was named her conference's player of the year. She was also named to the Tournament of Champions all-tournament team. 

"I fell in love with the weather at FGCU, and I connected with the team and coaches very well right off the bat," Morris said of her decision. "I also really liked the campus and how the school has its own private beach."

Academically, Morris has been an honor roll student each year. She is coached at Floyd E. Kellam by Janice Johnson, and she plays travel for Beach Elite 18 Black under the tutelage of Tonya Boser.

"Tori is an explosive middle who will immediately provide us with another physical presence at the net," Botsford said. "She is so quick off the floor and has such a good attacking window. I think she will flourish with the setters we have in the program. Her blocking height allows her to disrupt the other side of the net and I think she is going to really develop on that end. Tori is just beginning to scratch the surface of what she can become as a volleyball player and I can't wait to start working with her."

Chelsey Lockey
5-9 Setter
Eaton/Eaton, Colo.

Through her junior season, Lockey was a four-time all conference and all-state selection at Eaton High School where she was named a MaxPreps All-American and helped lead her team to four Class 3A state championships. In this year's state championship match, she totaled 33 assists. Showcasing her athleticism, the 5-9 setter also won a state championship in the sprint medley and finished as a state runner-up in the triple jump as a member of the track and field team.

"I chose FGCU because of its beautiful campus and its great coaching staff," Lockey said of her decision.

Academically, Lockey is a two-time honorable mention all-state selection. At Eaton, her coach is Gwen Forster, and she plays travel for Norco under the tutelage of Jim Stone.

"The first time I ever watched Chelsey play I was absolutely blown away by her court presence and her work ethic out on the floor," Botsford said. "She has such a positive impact on the flow of the game, and her leadership skills were apparent right from the start. When you take those characteristics in a setter and combine them with her physical gifts, you have something really special. Chelsey is a creative setter, a smart setter, a reliable setter, and a winning setter. She is as competitive as they come and I am expecting big things from her in an Eagle uniform."

Dana Axner
5-8 DS/Libero
Dublin Coffman/Dublin, Ohio

Axner is a four-year letter winner at Dublin Coffman, and she was elected as team captain her junior and senior seasons while under the tutelage of Mary Anne Souder. She is a First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District and Honorable Mention All-State player who led her team to three Division I state final four appearances. She was named First Team All-Ohio and had 41 digs in the state semifinal as a senior.

She made the AVCA Under Armour All-American Watch List, and her club team, Elite Volleyball Training Center, won the AAU Premier National Championship, where she was named to the all-tournament team under the tutelage of Randy Cline. She holds the school record for most digs in a season, and she was named the team's best defensive player and was honored with the coaches award.

"I chose FGCU because of the wonderful coaching staff, the competitive volleyball team, the education program and the beautiful campus," Axner said of her decision.

"Dana could very well end up being the most athletic libero that I have coached," Botsford said. "She covers so much ground and is so good at extending plays from the defensive end that I expect her to contribute to our back row immediately. Dana also has a great technical foundation in serve receive and a calmness about her on first contact that will really help our offense. She has a great energy on the court that is infectious and she is always focused on finding a way to contribute to her team. Dana has all the tools that a coach looks for in the position."

Notes
The FGCU volleyball program completed the regular season at 20-9 overall and 10-4 in ASUN play. The Eagles earned the three seed in the upcoming ASUN Championship and will open the tournament with an 8:30 p.m. matchup against USC Upstate on Thursday. The winner will take on Jacksonville on Friday at 8:30 p.m. with the championship taking place on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The FGCU volleyball program has won 20 or more matches in three consecutive seasons and 10 or more conference matches in four consecutive seasons.

FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU volleyball program, follow on Twitter at @FGCU_VB, on Facebook at /FGCUVolleyball and on Instagram at @FGCU_VB.

COACH BOTSFORD
Head coach Matt Botsford is in his fourth season at the helm of FGCU volleyball. In 2016, Botsford's squad produced one of its most successful seasons ever at 27-6, with the win total representing the most in Division I program history and falling just two shy of the all-time mark. His teams have combined for an 87-37 (.702) overall record, including a 42-14 (.750) mark in ASUN play. In his inaugural season, the Eagles finished with a record of 19-11 with a second-place ASUN finish, and he improved that win total to 21 in his second season. Botsford has coached 15 All ASUN selections in his three seasons. Prior to his time in Southwest Florida, Botsford held successful stints as an assistant at Notre Dame, Miami, IUPUI, Indianapolis and most recently Colorado State. A former professional volleyball player, he is a 1998 graduate of Tri-State University (now Trine), where he earned a degree in Social Studies Education. He earned a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Indianapolis.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help.

IRMA RELIEF DONATIONS
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, many individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida are still in desperate need of assistance. To aid in those relief efforts, FGCU Athletics will be collecting donations at all Eagle home games for the immediate future. Donation items most needed include: non-perishable food, clothing, household items and first-aid supplies. Additionally, those unable to attend upcoming home games can drop off donations in canisters located in the Alico Arena lobby. All donations will be given to those hardest hit in Lee and Collier counties.

PHOTO CREDIT: Dana Axner photo taken by Bill Slater.