FORT MYERS, Fla. - The FGCU volleyball team (20-9, 10-4 ASUN) concluded its regular season with a 12-25, 30-28, 29-27, 25-18 loss to Kennesaw State (19-4, 13-1 ASUN) in Alico Arena on Saturday.

"I think the big difference was Kennesaw's defense each set just continued to improve," FGCU head coach Matt Botsford said. "The blocking started to figure out just what the hitters wanted to do. Their floor defense was outstanding, and we didn't match them. They really impacted what we could do offensively with the exception of Amanda, and we couldn't find the answers."

With the win, Kennesaw State clinched an outright ASUN regular season championship. They will be the top seed at the ASUN Championship, while FGCU will enter as the third seed. The Eagles will face USC Upstate at 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 16 in Nashville, Tenn. in a quarterfinal matchup.

Against Kennesaw State, Amanda Carroll (26) and Snowy Burnam (16) led the team in kills, while Maggie Rick had 50 assists. Karissa Rhoades (19) and Burnam (14) combined for 33 digs.

Carroll (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia HS) recorded her kills while hitting .293 and adding five digs, one solo block and one block assist. Through three sets, she had as many kills as Kennesaw State's top three kill producers combined. 

"Those are pretty amazing numbers for Amanda," Botsford said. "She played in four sets but we didn't let her go through the front row, so what she did as an attacker she did in three sets. I don't know if I've seen that before, certainly not in my time here - pretty impressive by her."

Burnam (Palm City, Fla./Jensen Beach HS), the reigning ASUN Freshman of the Week, had her third double-double over the past six matches and finished one kill shy of matching her season-high. Offensively, Daniele Serrano (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS) and Kaitlan Krivdo (Hope Mills, N.C./Grays Creek HS) each added six kills while hitting .375 and .313, respectively.

Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) recorded at least 50 assists for the fourth time this year and the second time over the past three matches. Rhoades (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale Senior HS) added three assists while also recording a match-high with 19 digs. In addition to her and Burnam defensively, Courtney Stephens (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park HS) had eight digs, and Rick chipped in six.

At the net, Krivdo, Carroll and Serrano each had a solo block, while Rick and Krivdo led the team with two block assists apiece.

NEXT UP
The ASUN Championship will take place in Nashville, Tenn., hosted by Lipscomb University at Allen Arena. Kennesaw State will face the winner of Lipscomb and North Florida in the first semifinal, while Jacksonville will face the winner of FGCU and USC Upstate in the second semifinal. The championship takes place on Nov. 18.

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 87-37 (.702) overall record, including a 42-14 (.750) 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.