BABSON PARK, Fla. – The FGCU beach volleyball team started off the season on a positive note, downing in-state foe Webber International 3-2 on Friday night. Wins in the No. 2, 3 and 5 positions sealed the victory, allowing the Eagles travel back to Fort Myers 1-0, while the Warriors slide to 1-4.
 
"It's nice to get the season started with a win, while learning a little bit more about where we need to prioritize our training efforts," said head coach Matt Botsford. "This early on, we're still trying to figure out our lineup and who compliments who, so this was a very helpful step in that process."
 
At No. 5, senior Caroline Jordan (Orlando, Fla./William R. Boone HS) and sophomore Kaitlan Krivdo (Hope Mills, N.C./Grays Creek HS) got the ball rolling with a win in three.
 
Senior tandem Madi Wilcox (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein HS) and Leigh Pudwill (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial High School/Northern Iowa) didn't have quite the same luck, falling in three at the No. 4 position.
 
Victories from the No. 3 pair, Karissa Rhoades (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale Senior HS) and Katherine Puisis (Mason, Ohio/William Mason HS), and the No. 2 pair Mackenzie Allen (Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast High School) and Amanda Carroll (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia High School), clinched the win for FGCU. Both came in straight sets.
 
The only straight-set loss of the day came from the No. 1 duo Giovanna Borgiotti (Vienna, Va./George C. Marshall HS) and Ashley Glickert (Chesterfield, Mo/Parkway Central High School).
 
Note: Set scores were not made available.
 
UP NEXT
The Green and Blue will open up their home slate with a double header against Eckerd on Wednesday Mar. 15. The first match is scheduled for 4 p.m. with a second immediately following at 6 p.m.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU volleyball program, follow on Twitter at @FGCU_BeachVB, on Facebook at /FGCUVolleyball and on Instagram at @FGCU_VB.
 
COACH BOTSFORD
Head coach Matt Botsford begins his fourth season at the helm of FGCU beach volleyball in 2017. Last season, Botsfords squad produced a program-high 11 wins. In three seasons, his beach teams have combined for an overall record of 18-37 (.327). In 2016, Botsford's indoor 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 two shy of the all-time mark. His teams have combined for an overall 65-27 (.707) record, including a 32-10 (.762) mark in ASUN play. In his inaugural season, the Eagles finished with a record of 19-11 with a second-place ASUN finish. Botsford has coached 15 All-Conference 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.