FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU volleyball team (23-5, 9-3) emerged victorious after a five-set (25-22, 23-25, 25-14, 21-25, 15-9) heart-stopper against conference leader Kennesaw State (16-10, 10-2). With the win, the Eagles 2016 squad ties a Division I program record set in 2007 with 23 wins on the season. The match also marks the final home event of the year for the Green and Blue, giving the Eagles an impressive 32-10 record at Alico Arena since Matt Botsford became head coach in 2014.
 
"Over the past couple of matches, we haven't felt like we've played up to our capacity," said Botsford. "While the opponents we were playing caused a lot of it by pressuring us and dictating the pace of play, we didn't even feel comfortable with the responses and adjustments we were making. Tonight, I thought we did an excellent job of doing just that. I'm really happy for the girls. We made some changes and did some things a little bit differently than we have in the past. We tried to simplify a few things, and they responded wonderfully."
 
One of the major changes of the night was starting sophomore Karissa Rhoades (Valrico Fla./Bloomingdale Senior HS) at libero – a strategy that the Eagles have been experimenting with periodically in recent matches. Rhoades responded by collecting a career-high 25 digs and facilitating a floor defense that was able to contain KSU's dangerous hitters.
 
But defense was certainly a collective effort for FGCU tonight, which tallied 68 digs compared to the Owls' 53. FGCU also out-blocked KSU eight to four, with four blocks each from senior Leigh Pudwill (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS/Northern Iowa) and freshman Daniele Serrano (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS). Pudwill finished the match with a double-double, collecting 10 kills and 11 digs.
 
In addition to Pudwill, sophomore Amanda Carroll (Albuquerque N.M./Sandia HS) and freshman Giovanna Borgiotti (Vienna, Va./George C. Marshall HS) also recorded double digit kills with 21 and 14 respectively. Carroll pounded down the winning point in each of the Eagles' set victories tonight and has now reached the 20-kill mark five times this season.
 
Sophomore Maggie Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) paced an FGCU offense that out-hit Kennesaw State .284 to .212. This is the seventh time in her career that the Eagles setter has produced more than 50 assists in a match. Following tonight's match, Rick tallies 1,049 assists on the season, eclipsing the 1,000-assist threshold for the second-straight year. 
 
After the falling to the Eagles, KSU is tied with Lipscomb at 10-2 in the conference, while FGCU trails closely behind at 9-3. With one week left in the regular season, a first round bye in the ASUN postseason is still in the picture for any of these three teams. Jacksonville and USC Upstate secured the two remaining spots with wins this weekend.
 
Prior to tonight's match, the Eagles took a moment to honor their FGCU volleyball senior class, which consists of Pudwill, Marlene Moeller (Lüdinghausen, Germany/Pascal Gymnasium), Caroline Jordan (Orlando, Fla./William R Boone HS), and Marina Adami (Caxias Do Sul, Brazil/ College of Central Florida).
 
"What an awesome group," said Botsford of his senior athletes. "This is a special night for them. CJ (Jordan) and Marlene – those two were here with the previous staff, and then they had to go through that transition which is always challenging. They stuck with it, they bought in and they've been such huge contributors for us. Then you have Marina and Leigh. Both of them took a leap of faith to join this program and be a part of this new vision. They trusted in us as coaches, that we would help them be successful. I couldn't me more proud of those four girls, and I'm certainly going to miss them."
 
The Eagles jumped out to an early lead in the first set and maintained their advantage until KSU went on a six-point run to tie things up at 21. FGCU closed out the set by collecting four of the next five points, including a pair of service aces from Rick and Carroll.
 
KSU came out stronger in the second set, but the Eagles managed to keep it tight. The teams exchanged leads four times until the Owls gained a 22-19 advantage with a four-point run. FGCU claimed four of the next six points, increasing the score to 24-23, but an Eagles service error ended the set in favor of KSU.
 
After a disappointing second set, FGCU came out of the break fired up. The Eagles were relentless as they climbed to an 11-1 lead to start off the third set. KSU scrambled to find a rhythm, but after bringing it back within five, the Eagles went on another tear that ran it up to 21-12. FGCU ended the set at 25-14 with three straight kills – two from Carroll and one from Moeller.
 
Leading 2-1 in the match, FGCU took another early lead in the fourth set, however, this time the Owls trailed close behind. The score tied six times before Kennesaw State began to pull ahead. A pair of three-point runs put the Owls up 23-18 on the Eagles. The set ended after an FGCU service error gave KSU a 25-21 win.
 
The Green and Blue gained a 7-3 advantage over the Owls with a quick four-point run to start off the fifth set. Kennesaw State put the set back within two with three-straight scores. FGCU responded by snagging five of the next six points. The Eagles ended the set at 15-9 and the match at 3-2 with a kill from Carroll.
 
UP NEXT
The Green and Blue will wrap up the season with one last road trip as they face USC Upstate on Friday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. and NJIT on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m.
 
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 63-27 (.700) record, including a 30-10 (.750) 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.