JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Despite
Courtney Stephens producing a season-high 18 digs and eclipsing 1,000 career digs, the FGCU volleyball team (17-7, 7-2 ASUN) saw its eight-match winning streak come to an end with a 25-23, 18-25, 25-20, 17-25, 15-5 loss to North Florida (10-16, 2-7 ASUN) on the road Friday.
With the outcome, FGCU not only saw its winning streak end, but their 22-set winning streak was snapped and the Eagles fell one game back of first place in the ASUN standings behind Kennesaw State and Jacksonville. FGCU will get a chance to inch back closer to first on Saturday, though, when they take on Jacksonville at 6 p.m.
"I thought UNF made things tough on us all night," FGCU head coach
Matt Botsford said. "They are always such a good blocking team, and they really had that side of the game dialed in."
Stephens (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park HS) eclipsed her previous season-high of 14 digs and fell just three shy of tying her career-high of 21 set against FIU on Sept. 20 of last season. She became just the fifth player in program history to reach 1,000 digs, and she now sits at 1,004. It was her 42nd career match with at least 10 digs, and she also recorded a new season-high in assists with five.
"I'm so happy that Courtney was able to get into that 1,000 dig club,"
Botsford said. "She has been such a huge part of this program and our successes for the last four years. It really is a testament to her hard work and commitment."
FGCU had five players reach double digits in digs for the first time this season.
Amanda Carroll had a season-high 23 to go along with 15 kills for her second straight and 11th double-double of the season. With her one ace, as well, she broke a tie with Jill Hopper (88, 2011-13) and now sits alone in sixth place all-time in program history with 89. She is three away from moving into a tie for fifth place with Whitney Hendry (92, 2004-07).
In addition to
Carroll (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia HS) and Stephens,
Karissa Rhoades,
Cortney VanLiew and
Snowy Burnam were also part of the group.
Rhoades (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale Senior HS) finished third on the team with 14, while
VanLiew (Seymour, Ind./Columbus East HS) had 13.
For
Burnam (Palm City, Fla./Jensen Beach HS), her 11 digs was a season-high, and she also recorded her first double-double by adding 11 kills and six blocks, five of which were block assists. The block total tied her season-high, which was set in the first matchup against UNF on Oct. 14.
Maggie Rick fell one dig shy of pushing that group to six and becoming the third player with a double-double as the junior (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) tallied a team-high 40 assists, nine digs, five kills and one block assist. It was the second straight and eighth match overall this year she has reached the 40 assist plateau.
Daniele Serrano recorded a season-high nine blocks along with 11 kills and one assist. The sophomore (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS) is now two block assists shy of moving into a tie for eighth place on the program's career list. With three more, she would pass Devon Watts (2004-05) and Eleonora Kazarian (2014-15) and sit alone in eighth.
"I really like how Dani and Snowy competed in a tough match, and we needed them to help extend things when the offense got stagnant,"
Botsford said. "The team pushed hard to get to that fifth set, and I'm proud of that effort, but in the end, we have to be more consistent when pressured."
Despite the loss, FGCU set new team season-highs in digs (91) and solo blocks (2), while tying the season-high for block assists (22, Davidson, Sept. 9).
The loss marked the second consecutive season in which FGCU lost in five sets at North Florida. The Eagles are still 20-6 all-time against the Ospreys, though, and they've won six of the past eight in the series and hold an 8-4 advantage in road matchups. North Florida is now 3-18 against FGCU in regular season ASUN matchups.
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 84-35 (.706) overall record, including a 39-12 (.765) 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.
