KENNESAW, Ga. – In an early-season conference matchup between two league unbeatens, host Kennesaw State (8-3, 2-0 ASUN) got the better of the FGCU volleyball team (9-6, 1-1 ASUN) Friday night in a 3-0 victory (25-14, 26-24, 25-21) over the Eagles.
 
FGCU entered the match leading the ASUN and ranked 31st in the nation in hitting percentage at .265, but hit a season-low .096 – nearly .04 lower than their previous worst and just the third occurrence this year below .200.
 
Kennesaw State never trailed in the opening set, but FGCU battled back, and despite the hitting woes was able to make the final two sets between two of the top-three teams in the ASUN Preseason Poll extremely competitive.
 
Amanda Carroll recorded her sixth double-double of the year, leading FGCU in both kills and digs with 12 and 11, respectively. With the dozen kills, junior Carroll (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia HS) now has 1,128 for her career, moving to within just five of surpassing Olivia Mesner (1,132 from 2011-14) for 2nd place on the program's all-time list – which is topped by USA Beach Volleyball Olympian Brooke Youngquist Sweat (1,167 from 2004-07).
 
Cortney VanLiew was the lone other Eagle to record double-figure kills as the freshman continued her brilliant opening campaign in the Green and Blue with 10. VanLiew (Seymour, Ind./Columbus East HS) now has double-figure kills in 11 of 15 matches this season.
 
Maggie Rick – who came into the night ranked 22nd in the nation in assists per set (11.29) – wasn't too far from that average despite FGCU's troubles as she finished with 28 assists. Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) was responsible for all but three of FGCU's assists on the evening.
 
"It was an extremely disappointing performance this evening," stated head coach Matt Botsford. "We didn't look prepared to play, and we didn't execute at a level that I expect out of our team. Kennesaw State played a major role in that, but our lack of resistance wasn't there, and that falls on all of us – from coaches to players. I hope this will serve as a wake-up call, and a reminder to us that we have a long way to go and the path is going to require a lot of hard work."
 
In the 1st set, the hosts took control early and never looked back, cruising to a relatively easy victory, 25-14, as the Eagles hit just .030 percent.
 
In the 2nd set, the two sides battled until KSU was able to claim a 26-24 win. The Owls held a five-point lead early in the set – and maintained a 15-11 advantage – before the Green and Blue claimed five of the next six points to knot the set at 16-16, forcing KSU into a timeout. The two sides remained deadlocked at 24-24, but an FGCU service error followed by an Owl kill gave Kennesaw State a dominant 2-0 lead in the match.
 
KSU once again threatened to run away with another set as it created an early edge in the 3rd, eventually opening up a 19-15 lead. However, FGCU rattled off four-straight points to tie the set at 19-19, but the Owls claimed six of the next eight points to take the set, 25-21, and the match.
 
The contest was an ASUN Championship Semifinal rematch from a season ago as the Eagles claimed a five-set thriller over the Owls.
 
The roadtrip – which for FGCU dates back to Sept. 8 and will eventually span 10 games – finally wraps up on Saturday as the Eagles travel to Nashville to face Lipscomb. The challenge doesn't get any easier for FGCU as the Bisons – who clipped the Eagles in the ASUN Championship Final last year – were the preseason favorites to repeat again.
 
First serve is set for 6 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Central). Lipscomb is 1-1 in ASUN action (3-2 loss at Kennesaw State; 3-0 win over Stetson) and 7-7 overall.
 
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, beginning with both of this weekend's women's soccer matches. 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.
 
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 two shy of the all-time mark. His teams have combined for a 76-34 (.690) overall record, including a 33-11 (.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.