FORT MYERS, Fla. - Daniele Serrano tallied a career-high 14 kills as the FGCU volleyball team won its seventh straight match with a sweep (25-11, 25-15, 25-18) of Bethune-Cookman (8-9) in Alico Arena Tuesday.

With the result, FGCU (16-6) not only extended its winning streak, but they've also now won 19 consecutive sets and have not allowed more than 21 points in any set over the past six matches.

"For us, to hit our optimal level in terms of offense, it's going to require Dani to play at a high level in the middle," FGCU head coach Matt Botsford said. "If she can do that, it alleviates the pressure on our outsides to do all the scoring for us, and when we've been at our best is when we've seen that kind of balance. And (Dani) did such a tremendous job that when we did go to the left side or right side, we were getting nice splits on the block. It just makes life a lot easier there. Dani's been like this all season long. This was especially impressive, but we've learned to expect that out of her."

Serrano's (Sanford, Fla/Seminole HS) offensive performance topped her previous career-high for kills by two, which came on Sept. 12 of this season against Central Florida. After reaching double digits in kills once as a freshman, she has now reached that mark six times this year. On Tuesday, she also hit .684, which is her career-high in a match with at least 10 attempts. In addition to her offensive performance, she also had two more solo blocks to give her 27 blocks over the past seven matches.

Outside of Serrano, a pair of other players continued streaks. Cortney VanLiew (Seymour, Ind./Columbus East HS) recorded 10 kills for her fifth straight match in double digits. She also finished just one dig shy of a double-double. Karissa Rhoades (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale Senior HS), meanwhile, had 11 digs to push her double digit streak to seven. She is averaging 12.4 digs per match during the streak.

Maggie Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) led the way in assists with 34, while adding four kills and four digs. Courtney Stephens (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park HS) chipped in eight digs to move her within 23 of becoming just the fifth player in program history with 1,000 in a career. She added three aces to push her career total to 87, which is one shy of moving her into a tie for sixth place all-time.

Amanda Carroll (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia HS) added eight kills and nine digs. She had 15 attacks to give her 3,112 in her career, which is 28 shy of passing Brooke Youngquist Sweat (3,139, 2004-07) for the most in program history.

FGCU is now 12-0 all-time against Bethune-Cookman, including wins in 36 of 41 sets. The Eagles have won all six meetings at Alico and Tuesday's win completed a season sweep of the Wildcats, who had won four straight and six of their past seven entering Tuesday.

Next up for FGCU will be the resumption of ASUN play on Saturday at home against Stetson at 6 p.m. The Eagles are currently tied with Kennesaw State and Jacksonville at 6-1 atop the conference standings.

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 fourth season at the helm of FGCU volleyball. In 2016, Botsford's squad produced one of its most successful seasons ever at 27-6, with the win total representing the most in Division I program history and falling just two shy of the all-time mark. His teams have combined for an 83-34 (.709) overall record, including a 38-11 (.776) mark in ASUN play. In his inaugural season, the Eagles finished with a record of 19-11 with a second-place ASUN finish, and he improved that win total to 21 in his second season. Botsford has coached 15 All ASUN selections in his three 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.

IRMA RELIEF DONATIONS
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, many individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida are still in desperate need of assistance. To aid in those relief efforts, FGCU Athletics will be collecting donations at all Eagle home games for the immediate future. Donation items most needed include: non-perishable food, clothing, household items and first-aid supplies. Additionally, those unable to attend upcoming home games can drop off donations in canisters located in the Alico Arena lobby. All donations will be given to those hardest hit in Lee and Collier counties.