FGCU (14-2), NJIT (8-9), USC Upstate (9-9)
Coaches: Matt Botford (3rd season @ FGCU – 54-24; same overall) | Peter Volkert (3rd season @ NJIT – 19-47; 367-333 overall) | Jennifer Calloway (20th season @ USC Upstate – 325-311; same overall)
FGCU vs. NJIT: Friday, Sept. 30 | 6 PM | Alico Arena
Links: LIVE STATS | WATCH | TICKETS
FGCU vs. USC Upstate: Saturday, Oct. 1 | 7 PM | Alico Arena
Links: LIVE STATS | WATCH | TICKETS
 
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Riding a 13-match win streak, the FGCU volleyball team returns to Alico Arena this weekend to face ASUN competitors NJIT and USC Upstate. The Green and Blue will take on the Highlanders on Friday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. before turning their attention to the Spartans on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. For the Eagles, wins in both weekend matches would mean tying the longest winning streak in the program's Division 1 history.
 
For fans looking to supports the team as they go for 15, tickets can be purchased online at FGCUTickets.com or by calling the university's ticket office at 239-590-7145. Live stats are available for both matches through StatBroadcast. The Eagles' Friday night match will be streamed live on the FGCU Volleyball Facebook page, and Saturday's match will be broadcasted via ASUN TV. Links for the live stats and video streams can be accessed at FGCUAthletics.com.
 
PROMOTIONS
FGCU vs. NJIT: During the first match of the weekend, we will be honoring those who have dedicated their lives to public service. Veterans and first responders are invited to attend the event for free. Friday is also youth night at the Nest! The San Carlos Fire Department will be offering tours of their trucks to all kids in attendance right outside Alico Arena starting at 4 p.m. Be sure to grab a fireman's hat and badge!
FGCU vs. USC Upstate: October is here, and that means it's time to think pink! Purchase your Pink Out shirt at the match for only $10.00 and support breast cancer awareness. All proceeds go to charity.
 
STREAKING
FGCU has downed its opponents in 13 straight matches going into this week. The Eagles' streak ranks second among active streaks in the NCAA behind Nebraska who tallies 28 and third in the program's DI history. The last time FGCU won 13 in a row was in 2012 when they set a DI program record of 15 straight.
 
THE GREEN AND BLUE
FGCU leads the ASUN Conference with a 14-2 record after capturing its 13th-straight win in a shutout over Bethune-Cookman on the road this past Tuesday. The Eagles averaged a hitting percentage of .319 in the match with the help of sophomore setter Maggie Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) who assisted on 41 of FGCU's 51 kills. Rick's 10.95 assists per set leads the ASUN and ranks 26th in the nation.
 
As a unit, FGCU own the most efficient offense in the conference with a .291 hitting percentage (13th in the NCAA). Sophomore Amanda Carroll (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia HS) leads the team and the ASUN with 251 kills in 2016. Her 4.48 kills per set ranks 13th in the NCAA.
 
Defensively, the Green and Blue have posted double digit blocks in three of their last five matches. Senior Marlene Moeller (Ludinghausen, Germany/Pascal Gymnasium) and freshman Daniele Serrano (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS) lead FGCU along the net with 38 blocks each.
 
SCOUTING NJIT
The Highlanders enter the weekend 8-9 after dropping a 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 20-16) decision at Iona on Tuesday night. NJIT's attack is led by Weronika Wiezik who totals 172 kills on the season (2.73 per set).
 
Setter Anna Rodrigues has paced the offense in 2016. Her 7.12 assists per set ranks fifth in the ASUN. Rodriguez posted a season high 51 assists in the Highlanders' battle with USC Upstate last weekend.
 
Libero Adriana Nieto is at the helm of the Highlanders defense for the second straight season. Nieto has collected 278 digs in 2016 and ranks third in the conference with 4.41 digs per set.
 
NJIT ranks second in the ASUN in errors – a problem they will look to correct in order to stop the Eagles fast paced offense.
 
The last time these two teams faced each other, FGCU swept NJIT (25-12, 25-19, 25-21). The win secured the No. 2 seed for the Eagles in the 2015 Atlantic Sun Championships.
 
SCOUTING USC UPSTATE
USC Upstate owns a 9-9 record after winning three-straight five-set matches against Wofford, NJIT and Presbyterian.
 
Defensively, the Spartans are holding opponents to a hitting percentage of .189. Libero Kaleigh Kelley ranks sixth in the ASUN with 4.13 digs per set.  The team ranks second in the conference in blocks with a total of 107. Emily Koelling tallies a team-best 61.
 
Koelling also leads the Spartan's offensive attack with 179 kills in 2016, trailed closely by Callie Yeargin who totals 171.
 
USC Upstate has averaged a hitting percentage of .160 through their first 18 games of the season. Picking up their offensive production will be key to the Spartans on Saturday.
 
In their last meeting, FGCU swept USC Upstate 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-19) for the final road match of 2015.  The Green and Blue recorded seven service aces, four in the final set, to reach the 20-win mark for the first time since 2012 and the fourth time in the Division I era.
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles hit the road next weekend to continue conference play. FGCU will take on Kennesaw State on Friday, Oct. 7 in Georgia before traveling to Nashville, Tennessee to face Lipscomb on Saturday, Oct. 8.
 
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 54-24 (.692) record, including a 22-7 (.759) 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.