FORT MYERS, Fla. – After snagging a season opening victory against in-state opponent Webber International, the Green and Blue look to continue their winning ways as they host a doubleheader against Eckerd on Wednesday.  The two teams square off at 4 p.m., and then again at 6 p.m.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Despite losing it's No. 1 pairing from last season to graduation the Eagles claimed victories at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5 to claim the close 3-2 win.
 
Returners proved crucial for the Eagles. Mackenzie Allen (Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast HS) and Amanda Carroll (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia HS) notched a win in the No.2.  At the No. 3 spot, returners Karissa Rhoades (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale Senior HS) and Katherine Puisis (Mason, Ohio/William Mason HS) claimed victory, and finally at the No. 5 spot, Senior Caroline Jordan (Orlando, Fla./William R. Boone HS) teamed up with newcomer Kaitlan Krivdo (Hope Mills, N.C./Grays Creek HS) to close out the match.
 
SCOUTING THE TRITONS
The Green and Blue look to add to their win total against an Eckerd squad that has already played 6 matches, amassing a 4-2 record.  The Tritons have recorded wins against Webber International, Warner University, Austin Peay and Huntingdon College.
 
The St. Petersburg based school is coming off of a 12-win season, in which they claiming the small college championship at the Fiesta On Siesta claimed.
 
All-time, the Eagles have only faced off against Eckerd twice, claiming both bouts against the Tritons by the scores of 4-1 and 5-0.
 
UP NEXT
The Green and Blue will travel to Baton Rouge, LA to compete in the Tiger Beach Challenge, where the Eagles will play four matches.  Their opposition includes UAB, Houston Baptist, Spring Hill (ALA.) and South Carolina, playing at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on both March 18th and 19th.
 
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 17-37 (.315). 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.