NASHVILLE Tenn. - In a tightly contested three-set match, the #3 FGCU volleyball team fell to #1 Kennesaw State in the ASUN Championship Final on Saturday night at Allen Arena. The Eagles fought the entire way, but ended up dropping the match 25-23, 25-22, and 25-17 in a 3-0 sweep. 

FGCU finishes its season 22-10 overall. It was the second ASUN Championship runner-up finish for the program.

ASUN Player of the Year Amanda Carroll led with a match-high 15 kills and a team-high 15 digs. It was her second double-double of the tournament, her 15th of the year and the 41st of her career. She averaged 17.3 digs per match during the tournament. ASUN Freshman of the Year Snowy Burnam finished the match with eight kills and eight digs and posted an impressive defensive performance with five blocks. Cortney VanLiew had the second highest hitting percentage of the match of .385 with five kills. Maggie Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) dished out 32 assists. 

The first set was the closest of the match as it was a back-and-forth battle from both squads. KSU got on the board first 5-4 and continued to strike, but a kill from Burnam (Palm City, Fla./Jensen Beach HS) would tie it up at five points apiece. Carroll (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia HS) sprung to life attacking wise with six kills in the first, but FGCU couldn't match the Owls' .302 hitting percentage and dropped the first set 25-23.

"I was really pleased with the way we came out and opened up the match," FGCU head coach Matt Botsford said. "I thought the first set was really competitive and we were seeing some things we thought we could utilize and put us in position to win offensively."

Momentum carried into the second set for the Owls, as they jumped out to a 4-1 early lead, but VanLiew (Seymour, Ind./Columbus East HS) and Carroll each slammed one home to strike back for the Eagles. Carroll added six of her 15 kills, and Burnam tacked on three more for FGCU. With what seemed to be an endless amount of tie scores and lead changes, the Owls pushed forward through FGCU's blocking and defense to take the second 25-22. 

"Ultimately we just couldn't get the stops we needed," Botsford said. "Kennesaw's offense was firing, and then when you get to the third set their blocks started to work, which was really the difference. The defense and blocking made it difficult for our hitters heading into the third set and we couldn't extend the match." 

Kennesaw State's strongest set opened with an 11-4 margin. The Green and Blue tried to hold on with every point, but couldn't hit around the Owls' impressive 16 blocks. FGCU would try to make an immense comeback with four points in a row late in the set, but KSU denied the Eagles' hopes of the title with one last kill to take the crown 25-17. 

ASUN ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
- Anaiah Boyer (Kennesaw State) - ASUN Championship MVP
- Kristi Piedimonte (Kennesaw State)
- Katarina Morton (Kennesaw State)
- Liesl Engelbrecht (Kennesaw State)
- Amanda Carroll (FGCU)
- Snowy Burnam (FGCU)
- Carlyle Nusbuam (Lipscomb)

RECORD BOOK
With her performance in the ASUN Championship and throughout the season, Carroll now owns the top two and three of the top five single season kill totals in program history. This year's total of 454 is second on the list.

Rick now owns the 4th, 5th and 6th highest single season assist totals. Karissa Rhoades (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale Senior HS), who had 12 digs for the Eagles in Saturday's loss, finished the year with 460 digs - the 9th highest single season total in program history. Daniele Serrano (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS) recorded 24 solo blocks this year - the 4th highest single season total in program history. Finally, Courtney Stephens (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park HS), who was the team's lone senior this year, concluded her career with 126 matches played - tying Gigi Meyer and Whitney Masters for most in program history.

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 just completed 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 89-38 (.701) 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.