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FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU volleyball team extended their winning streak to 11 after taking down in-state rival FIU in four sets on Tuesday night, marking the program's longest streak since 2012. The Eagles were outscored 23-25 in the first set, before coming back to win the next three by scores of 25-14, 25-20 and 25-20. The victory means that the Green and Blue remain undefeated at home in 2016 and improve their record to 12-2 – the best start by the team since 2007. The Panthers slide to 6-8 on the year. The loss marks the sixth consecutive season that they've fallen to FGCU.
 
"After the first set, our performance in the match tonight was really dictated by the performance of Courtney Stephens who I thought was amazing throughout all of it," said head coach Matt Botsford. "Even in the first set when we had some struggles, she was consistent all the way."
 
Stephens (Winter Park, Fla./ Winter Park HS) dove for a career-high 21 digs in the Eagles victory and added two service aces. The junior libero facilitated a defense that held FIU to a hitting percentage of .187 including -.077 in the second set.
 
Offensively, three Eagles tallied double-digit kills in the match. Sophomore Amanda Carroll (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia HS) led the floor with 20, followed by fellow sophomore Karissa Rhoades (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale Senior HS) with 14 and senior Leigh Pudwill (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS/Northern Iowa) who slammed down 10.
 
Carroll added 11 digs in the match, marking the outside hitter's fifth double-double of the season.
 
FGCU got off to a slower start then usual on the offensive side of the ball, but finished strong hitting .333 in the deciding set. As a unit, the Eagles topped the Panthers statistically in kills (60 to 42), service aces (7 to 2), assists (58 to 41) and digs (54 to 47).
 
The Eagles captured the first five points of the match, but found themselves down 7-6 after a six-point Panthers run. As FIU gained momentum, the Green and Blue continued to fall behind. Down by six, senior Marina Adami (Caxias Do Sul, Brazil, College of Central Florida) provided a lift for FGCU off the bench. Kills from Carroll, Rhoades and senior Marlene Moeller (Ludinghausen, Germany/Pascal Gymnasium) brought the Eagles back within a score, but at 24-23, a kill from Taija Thomas ended the set in favor of FIU.
 
In the second set, FGCU once again jumped ahead with a 6-1 lead. This time, they maintained the advantage, forcing the Panthers to use their second timeout as the trailed by nine. Three consecutive Eagles points capped off by a Stephens service ace increased the score to 21-12 in favor of FGCU. The Panthers were only able to pound down two more scores before the Green and Blue reached 25, ending the set.
 
With the match tied at 1-1, the teams kept it close to start out the third set. Up 7-5, FGCU captured six scores in a row. A handful of Eagles errors kept the Panthers in the game allowing FIU to cut its deficit from eight to three. At 20-17, the competitors split the next six points. A kill from Rhoades followed by a kill from Carroll gave FGCU a 25-20 win in the set and a 2-1 advantage in the match.
 
Set four started out in a gridlock as the teams swapped points through 18 scores. At 9-all, FGCU captured three of the next four points to gain a 12-10 advantage. The Green and Blue continued to gain steam with three straight scores after subbing in freshman Giovanna Borgiotti (Vienna, Va./George C. Marshall HS). The Panthers were forced to use a timeout when three more consecutive points gave the Eagles a 20-14 lead. FGCU called a timeout of their own after FIU scored five of the next six points, cutting their deficit to three. Ahead 23-20, the Eagles tallied back-to-back points to capture the set 25-20 and the match 3-1.
 
UP NEXT
Conference play begins for the Green and Blue with a 7 p.m. match against Stetson (3-12) on Saturday, Sept. 24. FGCU is 15-2 all time after sweeping the series last season. Purchase tickets for the match at FGCUTickets.com and help the Eagles #ProtectTheNest.
 
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 52-24 (.684) record, including a 21-7 (.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.