FORT MYERS, Fla. – For the second time this season, the FGCU volleyball team defeated in-state rival Bethune-Cookman, wrapping up its non-conference schedule with a 3-1 (25-20, 25-16, 25-27, 25-19) home win. The Eagles move to 21-3 (7-1 ASUN) on the season, just two wins shy of matching the Division I single-season program record of 23 by the 2007 team. The Wildcats head back to Daytona Beach with a record of 7-19 (5-2 MEAC).
 
FGCU has been on a roll this season, with victories in 20 of its last 21 matches. The Green and Blue also remain undefeated at home with a perfect 13-0 record at Alico Arena in 2016.
 
Despite lineup changes in the absence of libero Courtney Stephens (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park HS), the Eagles gave a solid all-around performance, outhitting their opponent .311 to .210. Statistically, FGCU outpaced the Wildcats in kills (68 to 55), assists (66 to 52), digs (73 to 64) and blocks (7 to 5).
 
Sophomore Karissa Rhoades (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale Senior HS) carried much of the weight defensively for the Eagles in her first match starting at libero. With occasional relief from senior Caroline Jordan (Orlando, Fla./Boone HS), Rhoades led the team with 19 digs.
 
Setter Maggie Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS), who tallied 58 assists and 11 digs for her second double-double of the season, spread the love as eight Eagles recorded kills on the night. Freshman Giovanna Borgiotti (Valrico, Va./George C. Marshall) led the floor with 16 kills added 11 digs of her own for her third career double-double.
 
Senior Marlene Moeller (Ludinghausen, Germany/Pascal Gymnasium) recorded a team-high hitting percentage of .500 and tied her season high with 14 kills, while sophomore Kaitlan Krivdo (Hope Mills N.C, Grays Creek HS), who tallied her first career start, set a new career high with 10 kills on the night.
 
"There were quite a few challenges for us this evening," said head coach Matt Botsford. "We had to shuffle some things in order to deal with a few injuries and stay mindful of what we have coming up. From that perspective, I'm happy that we can walk out of here with a win. Some people played in some positions they haven't played in, and it was uncomfortable. There's no question about it, but we persevered."
 
Even with a new lineup that saw Krivdo starting at outside hitter and Rhoades at libero, FGCU found its bearings quickly in the first set. After the Eagles jumped out to an early start, BCU fought back to tie things up at 10-all. However, the Wildcats weren't able to gain enough momentum to take the lead at any point in set one, and ultimately fell 25-20 when a kill from Moeller pushed the Green and Blue to a win.
 
Bethune-Cookman started out with a small lead in the second set, but wasn't able to recover after the Eagles tied it at 7-7. FGCU went up 2-0 with a 25-16 set win on a kill from freshman Daniele Serrano (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS), who also recorded three blocks in the set.
 
With a 2-0 lead, FGCU's 16th shutout of 2016 seemed to be approaching. The Eagles maintained an early lead until a kill from Alondra Bautista sparked a seven-point Wildcats run that gave BCU a 14-9 advantage. FGCU kept the set within reach, finally tying things up at 19-all. A kill from senior Leigh Pudwill (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS/Northern Iowa) increased the score to 24-23 and brought up set point for FGCU, but the Eagles weren't able to capitalize as they fell 27-25 to Bethune-Cookman in extras.
 
With a new sense of urgency, the Eagles utilized a four-point run to get ahead early in set four. FGCU held onto its lead, and much like in the first set, the Wildcats weren't able to gain the momentum needed to keep up with the Eagles offense. The Green and Blue captured the fourth set 25-19 and the match 3-1 with another kill from Moeller.
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles travel to Jacksonville to face North Florida on Friday Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. and JU on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m., as they look to clinch a spot in the ASUN Championship.
 
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 third year at the helm of the FGCU volleyball program.  His teams have combined for an overall 61-25 (.709) record, including a 28-8 (.778) mark in ASUN play. In his inaugural season, the Eagles finished with a record of 19-11 with a second-place ASUN finish. Botsford has coached 10 All-Conference selections in his two 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.