NEWARK, N.J. -
Giovanna Borgiotti tallied a season and game-high 14 kills to lead the FGCU volleyball team past NJIT 25-19, 25-15, 25-21 on the road at Fleisher Athletic Center Friday.
The win improved FGCU to 18-8 overall and 8-3 in ASUN play entering Sunday's 2 p.m. match at USC Upstate. It will be the final road match of the regular season for the Eagles, who also snapped a two-game losing streak. NJIT fell to 11-17 overall and 1-10 in ASUN play.
"I was really pleased with our performance, especially because of the team's response to a new lineup," FGCU head coach
Matt Botsford said. "They stayed poised, and I thought those first two sets were really encouraging. We got a little loose attacking in the third, but the floor defense was much improved in that set, which allowed us to close it out.
"Kaiti and Snowy played great tonight and both continue to improve with every opportunity they get. Getting Gio back was a big plus, too. I thought she responded well after a pretty lengthy layoff."
Borgiotti (Vienna, Va./George C. Marshall HS) finished just two shy of her career-high in kills while also adding three digs, one solo block and one block assist. It was her first real action since being out since Sept. 23.
Snowy Burnam (Palm City, Fla./Jensen Beach HS) nearly produced a double-double and a season-high hitting percentage, but settled for 10 kills, nine digs and one block assist while hitting .625. It was the fourth straight match with double digit kills for the freshman. Meanwhile,
Karissa Rhoades (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale Senior HS) also continued a streak as the junior libero finished with 11 of the team's 34 digs. It was her 11th straight match with double digits, and she also added one assist.
Maggie Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) had a game-high 42 assists along with four digs, one block assist and one kill. It was her third consecutive match with at least 40 helpers, and she now needs just 16 more for her third straight season with at least 1,000.
Offensively,
Kaitlan Krivdo (9) and
Cortney VanLiew (8) also nearly reached double figures in kills.
Krivdo (Hope Mills, N.C./Grays Creek HS) did her damage while hitting a career-high .750, and she added a game-high five block assists.
VanLiew (Seymour, Ind./Columbus East HS) finished second in block assists with four and added three digs.
Daniele Serrano (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS), who chipped in four kills, also had two block assists. Those two push her career total to 153, which puts her in a three-way tie with Devon Watts (2004-05) and Eleonora Kazarian (2014-15) for 8th place on the program's career list.
Courtney Stephens (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park HS) also contributed to the victory with three digs and one assist.
FGCU is now 6-0 all-time against NJIT and all six have ended in straight sets.
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 85-36 (.702) overall record, including a 40-13 (.755) 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.
