TAMPA, Fla. – After a Division I-best 3-0 start to the 2015 season, FGCU volleyball suffered its first loss of the season, falling 3-0 to SEC-foe Missouri on Friday, Sept. 4 in the first match of the USF Classic. The Eagles (3-1) limited the Tigers (4-0) in the first two sets but ultimately fell late (18-15, 19-25) to head into the break trailing 2-0. In the final set, Missouri used a high-powered offense to close out the match (16-25).
"Offensively, we did a good job attacking in the first two sets," said head coach
Matt Botsford. "Our kill numbers were really high which allowed us to crawl back. Once we climbed back in the match we were pretty reckless with our swings. Now, those higher risk swings could have been part of the reason why were able to score, I just know you cannot win with that many attacking errors. It's always good to play a team that's as physical and talented as Missouri and know that we can play at that level. We just need to play the brand of volleyball that will allow us to remain competitive."
The Eagles were led by freshman
Amanda Carroll (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia High School) with 11 kills, her fourth consecutive match with double-digit kills. Freshman
Maggie Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic High School) compiled 27 assists.
After a back-and-forth beginning to the first set, the Tigers opened up a 10-7 lead, forcing the Eagles to call timeout. Out of the break, junior
Leigh Pudwill (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial High School/Northern Iowa) brought FGCU back to within 10-8. Missouri responded with four consecutive points to take a 14-8 lead. Carroll gave the Eagles some brief moment with a kill, followed by an
Eleonora Kazarian (Tibilisi, Georgia/College of Central Florida) block to pull FGCU to within 14-10. After Mizzou went in front 16-10 forcing the second FGCU timeout, it was Pudwill again that sparked the Eagles with a kill, this time FGCU recorded seven of the next nine points to bring the deficit to 17-18. The Tigers would once again respond, finishing off the set 25-18. Both teams were limited offensively, as both sides hit under .110 in the set. The Tigers were limited to a .107 attack percentage while the Eagles hit .067. Carroll led the Eagles with four kills with Pudwill adding three kills.
FGCU took an early 3-0 lead in the second set thanks to back-to-back kills from Carroll. After a service error from the Eagles, Pudwill pushed the Eagle advantage to 4-1. Three straight errors brought the score to 4-4 before both teams exchanged points capped by a
Marlene Moeller (Lüdinghausen, Germany/Pascal Gymnasium) kill to bring the score to 7-7. From there, Missouri jumped in front 12-8 and 15-10 before the Eagles soared back. Moeller picked up a kill and a block assist around a Carroll kill to get the Eagles within 15-13. After an attack error, FGCU was within 15-14, forcing a Missouri timeout. After the timeout, the Eagles attempted to even the set but were unable to as Missouri pulled away late, taking the second set 25-19. FGCU compiled an attack percentage of .206, led by Carroll's six kills.
The Eagles were not able to game momentum until late in the third set, falling behind 6-3 early. After the Tigers increased their lead to 10-5, the Eagles called timeout. Freshman
Karissa Rhoades (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale Senior High School) kept the Eagles close in the middle stages of the match before the Tigers stretched their lead to 19-9. FGCU refused to go down quietly, but the rally came too late as Missouri took the final set 25-16.
UP NEXT FGCU turns its attention to the hosts, USF and Arkansas State as play continues Saturday, Sept. 5 at the USF Classic. The Eagles and Bulls meet at 1 p.m. before wrapping up action in Tampa at 5 p.m. against the Red Wolves.
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COACH BOTSFORD Head coach
Matt Botsford concluded his first year at the helm of the FGCU volleyball program with a record of 19-11 with a second-place finish in Atlantic Sun Conference play. Botsford's team also had five players recognized as All-Conference winner to set a new program high. 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. Botsford is a former professional volleyball player and is a 1998 graduate of Tri-State University, 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 raise awareness.
