Matchup: FGCU (13-6, 6-1 ASUN) at Liberty (7-12, 4-2 ASUN)
When: Oct. 12 | 6 PM ET | Vines Center
Links: Live Stats | Video (ESPN+)
Coach: Matt Botsford (5th season at FGCU – 102-44 (.699); same overall) | Trevor Johnson (1st season at Liberty – 7-12 (.368); same overall)

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The FGCU volleyball team (13-6, 6-1 ASUN) will hit the road to battle Liberty (7-12, 4-2 ASUN) on Friday evening in a first-ever matchup with one of the ASUN's two newest members (North Alabama).

AXNER CONTINUES TO SHINE
Dana Axner, who is the ASUN's reigning freshman of the week, recorded a Division-I era program-record for a three-set match with 28 digs in a sweep of Stetson on Tuesday. Her total broke the previous record held by Holly Youngquist, who had 26 twice – both against Campbell University in 2009 and 2010. Her total is also tied for the ninth most in a Division-I era match overall, thus giving her two of the top 10 three-set totals along with her 22 against North Alabama on Sept. 30. She previously broke the five-set record with 39 vs West Virginia on Sept. 8.

Furthermore, Axner (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman HS) pushed her season dig total up to 318, which not only allowed her to break into the top 20 single seasons in the Division-I era, but bumped her all the way up to 15th. She now sits behind Amanda Carroll's (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia HS) total of 332 from 2015. Moreover, she is now just 44 digs shy of moving into the top 20 of the career list.

Additionally, Axner is on pace to become just the third player in the program's Division-I era with 500 digs in a season, joining Vanessa Benke (558, 2015) and Whitney Masters (519 in 2014 and 512 in 2013). Her 4.82 digs per set currently ranks as the best in the program since 2007 – ahead of Vanessa Benke's 4.65 in 2015.

LIBERTY NOTES
The Flames are coming off a pair of losses to Lipscomb and Kennesaw State last week after starting the conference slate at 4-0. On Friday against Lipscomb, Liberty posted 19 blocks, the second most in a single match in the team's rally-scoring history (since 2001). Through six conference matches, they're out-hitting opponents, .255-.144, while registering 2.98 blocks per set as a team.

Head coach Trevor Johnson takes over the program after spending the last two seasons as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Texas A&M. A very successful head coach at the NAIA level, he went 86-14 combined at Concordia (Calif.), leading the men's team to the 2013 NAIA national title.

Casey Goodwin has been Liberty's leading attacker in conference play, averaging 3.26 kills per set while hitting .297. She has reached double figures in kills in five out of six ASUN matches so far, including a team-high 15 kills on Sunday against Kennesaw State.
 
ON THE RISE
Sharonda Pickering (Sea Cow's Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands/Elmore Stoutt HS) not only tops the conference in hitting percentage at .433 over 238 attempts, but the senior middle blocker enters Friday's tilt ranked second in the nation. She has had two or fewer errors in all but two matches this year. In matches where she's had at least 10 attempts, she has hit at least .304 in all but one.

THE CHASE
Daniele Serrano (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS), a junior middle blocker, surpassed 500 career kills in the team's win over Stetson, and she also moved into the top three in solo, assisted and total blocks. She tied Ashley Yance for third-most solo blocks in program history. She is now six shy of tying Ericka Fonseca (51, 2005-06) for second. Her block assist total also pushed her past Yance for second in career block assists, just 37 short of matching Olivia Mesner's all-time record (280, 2011-14). In fact, Mesner (342) and Serrano (288) are now 1-2 all-time in total blocks.

MAGGIE'S WORLD
Senior setter Maggie Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) recently moved into seventh place on the ASUN's career list, surpassing UCF's Jenny Frank (4,102, 2001-03). The senior setter now trails Gigi Meyer (4,408, 2011-14) for the program's all-time record and sixth-place in ASUN history.

1. Colleen Nilson (Belmont, 2004-07) – 5,636
2. April DeCoste (Georgia State, 2001-04) – 5,391
3. Stefine "Jake" Pease (Lipscomb, 2007-10) – 5,159
4. Kendall Courtney (Jacksonville, 2010-13) – 4,851
5. Sara Metroka (Kennesaw State, 2010-13) – 4,427
6. Gigi Meyer (FGCU, 2011-14) – 4,408
7. Maggie Rick (FGCU, 2015-present) – 4,152
8. Jenny Frank (UCF, 2001-03) – 4,102
9. Kristi Piedimonte (Kennesaw State, 2014-17) – 4,005
10. Kayla Weller (Stetson, 2012-15) – 3,789

WEEKLY ASUN AWARD WINNERS
Aug. 27 - Player of the Week - Cortney VanLiew; Freshman of the Week – Dana Axner
Sept. 4 - Defensive Player of the Week – Daniele Serrano; Freshman of the Week – Dana Axner
Sept. 10 - Defensive Player of the Week – Dana Axner
Sept. 24 - Freshman of the Week - Chelsey Lockey
Oct. 8 - Freshman of the Week – Dana Axner

ASUN TOP 10 LEADERS (INDIVIDUAL)
Kills – Cortney VanLiew (3rd, 261)
Kills/Set – Cortney VanLiew (2nd, 3.95)
Hitting Percentage – Sharonda Pickering (1st, .433), Daniele Serrano (2nd, .326)
Assists – Maggie Rick (6th, 467), Chelsey Lockey (9th, 248)
Assists/Set – Maggie Rick (7th, 7.08)
Aces – Karissa Rhoades (8th, 18)
Digs – Dana Axner (3rd, 318)
Digs/Set – Dana Axner (2nd, 4.82)
Solo Blocks – Daniele Serrano (T-6th, 12)
Block Assists – Daniele Serrano (1st, 75), Sharonda Pickering (T-7th, 58)
Total Blocks – Daniele Serrano (1st, 87), Sharonda Pickering (8th, 66)
Blocks/Set – Daniele Serrano (1st, 1.36), Tori Morris (3rd, 1.13), Sharonda Pickering (5th, 1.06)
Points – Cortney VanLiew (5th, 287.0)

ASUN TOP 10 LEADERS (TEAM)
Kills – 4th, 890
Kills/Set – 3rd, 13.48
Hitting Percentage – 1st, .252
Assists – 4th, 833
Assists/Set – 3rd, 12.62
Aces – T-4th, 84
Digs – 4th, 1,070
Digs/Set – 2nd, 16.21
Solo Blocks – 4th, 39
Block Assists – 1st, 288
Total Blocks – 1st, 183
Blocks/Set – 1st, 2.77
Points/Set – T-1st, 17.5

NATIONAL LEADERS (TEAM)
Opponent Hitting Percentage – 2nd, .129
Blocks/Set – 14th, 2.77
Total Blocks – 23rd, 183.0
Hitting Percentage – 36th, .252
Assists/Set – 59th, 12.62
Kills/Set – 56th, 13.48

NATIONAL LEADERS (INDIVIDUAL)
Kills – Cortney VanLiew (57th, 261)
Kills/Set – Cortney VanLiew (53rd, 3.95)
Digs – Dana Axner (72nd, 318)
Digs/Set – Dana Axner (62nd, 4.82)
Blocks – Daniele Serrano (28th, 87)
Blocks/Set – Daniele Serrano (26th, 1.36)
Points – Cortney VanLiew (79th, 287.0)
Points/Set – Cortney VanLiew (68th, 4.35)
Hitting Percentage – Sharonda Pickering (2nd, .433)
 
FGCU CAREER RECORD BOOK

Kills
1. 1,395 - Amanda CARROLL (.259) - 2015-present
2. 1,173 - Brooke YOUNGQUIST (.245) - 2004-07
3. 1,132 - Olivia MESNER (.331) - 2011-14
4. 961 - Jessica BARNES (.194) - 2010-11,13-14
5. 926 - Kaitlin HOLM (.227) - 2011-13
6. 837 - Ericka FONSECA (.363) - 2005-06
7. 725 - Jill HOPPER (.203) - 2011-13
8. 700 - Heather VAN OLST (.212) - 2004-06
9. 693 - Eleonora KAZARIAN (.225) - 2014-15
10. 678 - Ana KOKANOVIC (.281) - 2007-08
 
Kills per set (min. 50 sets)
1. 4.01 - Amanda CARROLL (348 sets) - 2015-present
2. 3.88 - Ericka FONSECA (216 sets) - 2005-06
3. 3.81 - Ana KOKANOVIC (178 sets) - 2007-08
4. 3.39 - Brooke YOUNGQUIST (346 sets) - 2004-07
5. 3.31 - Cortney VANLIEW (172 sets) - 2017-present
6. 3.25 - Eleonora KAZARIAN (213 sets) - 2014-15
7. 3.13 - Devon WATTS (212 sets) - 2004-05
8. 3.03 - Kristy HARTLEY (92 sets) - 2004
9. 3.02 - Jelena SIMIC (215 sets) - 2009,11
10. 2.95 - Jill HOPPER (246 sets) - 2011-13
 
Attack pct. (min. 150 attempts)
1. .403 - Cara ZIEGLER (312-56-636) - 2006-07
2. .397 - Sharonda PICKERING (312-56-636) - 2017-present
3. .363 - Ericka FONSECA (837-184-1,801) - 2005-06
4. .347 - Daniele SERRANO (509-111-1,146) - 2016-present
5. .331 - Olivia MESNER (1,132-353-2,356) - 2011-14
 
Assists
1. 4,408 - Gigi MEYER (474 sets) - 2011-14
2. 4,152 - Maggie RICK (413 sets) - 2015-present
3. 3,108 - Chandra LEFEVER (309 sets) - 2006-07, 09
4. 1,809 - Laura MANOVILL (186 sets) - 2004-05
5. 1,475 - Roberta SANTOS (180 sets) - 2007-08
 
Assists per set (min. 50 sets)
1. 10.06 - Chandra LEFEVER (309 sets) - 2006-07,09
2. 10.05 - Maggie RICK (413 sets) - 2015-present
3. 9.73 - Laura MANOVILL (186 sets) - 2004-05
4. 9.30 - Gigi MEYER (474 sets) - 2011-14
5. 8.19 - Roberta SANTOS (180 sets) - 2007-08
 
Service aces
1. 139 - Ana KOKANOVIC (178 sets) - 2007-08
2. 101 - Amanda CARROLL (348 sets) - 2015-present
3. 100 - Brooke YOUNGQUIST (346 sets) - 2004-07
4. 99 - Gigi MEYER (474 sets) - 2011-14
    99 - Roberta SANTOS (180 sets) - 2007-08
6. 92 - Whitney HENDRY (390 sets) - 2004-07
    92 - Courtney STEPHENS (451 sets) - 2014-17
8. 88 - Jill HOPPER (246 sets) - 2011-13
9. 83 - Maggie RICK (413 sets) - 2015-present
10. 78 - Whitney MASTERS (483 sets) - 2011-14

Serve pct. (min. 50 serves)
1. .980 - Snowy BURNAM (196 serves) - 2017-present
2. .976 - Marina ADAMI (83 serves) - 2015-16
3. .965 - Karina MAMBUCA (854 serves) - 2012-13
4. .964 - Ciara SANDOVAL (251 serves) - 2005
5. .960 - Caitlin SHAWVER (622 serves) - 2008-10
6. .959 - Adrianne MCNALLY (217 serves) - 2010
7. .957 - Gigi MEYER (1797 serves) - 2011-14
8. .954 - Ericka FONSECA (593 serves) - 2005-06
T-9. .950 - Dana AXNER (261 serves) – 2018-present
T-9. .950 - Whitney HENDRY (1169 serves) - 2004-07
 
Digs
1. 1,965 - Whitney HENDRY (390 sets) - 2004-07
2. 1,687 - Whitney MASTERS (483 sets) - 2011-14
3. 1,652 - Holly YOUNGQUIST (418 sets) - 2008-11
4. 1,369 - Brooke YOUNGQUIST (346 sets) - 2004-07
5. 1,084 - Courtney STEPHENS (451 sets) - 2014-17
6. 1,002 - Amanda CARROLL (348 sets) - 2015-present
7. 947 - Gigi MEYER (474 sets) - 2011-14
8. 884 - Heather VAN OLST (276 sets) - 2004-06
9. 855 - Karissa RHOADES (327 sets) - 2015-present
10. 765 - Chandra LEFEVER (309 sets) - 2006-07,09
 
Solo Blocks
1. 62 - Olivia MESNER (428 sets) - 2011-14
2. 51 - Ericka FONSECA (216 sets) - 2005-06
T-3. 45 - Ashley YANCE (313 sets) - 2005-09
T-3. 45 - Daniele SERRANO (289 sets) - 2016-present
5. 39 - Devon WATTS (212 sets) - 2004-05
6. 38 - Amanda CARROLL (348 sets) - 2015-present
    38 - Kaitlin HOLM (359 sets) - 2011-13
 
Block assists
1. 280 - Olivia MESNER (428 sets) - 2011-14
2. 243 - Daniele SERRANO (289 sets) - 2016-present
3. 242 - Ashley YANCE (313 sets) - 2005-09
4. 196 - Ericka FONSECA (216 sets) - 2005-06
5. 180 - Marlene MOELLER (301 sets) - 2013-16
 
Total blocks
1. 342 - Olivia MESNER (428 sets) - 2011-14
2. 288 - Daniele SERRANO (289 sets) - 2016-present
3. 287 - Ashley YANCE (313 sets) - 2005-09
4. 247 - Ericka FONSECA (216 sets) - 2005-06
5. 205 - Kaitlin HOLM (359 sets) - 2011-13
6. 197 - Karina MAMBUCA (233 sets) - 2012-13
    197 - Marlene MOELLER (301 sets) - 2013-16
8. 195 - Devon WATTS (212 sets) - 2004-05
9. 189 - Amanda CARROLL (348 sets) - 2015-present
10. 170 - Lauren TUTWILER (208 sets) - 2014-15
 
Matches played
1. 126 - Gigi MEYER - 2011-14
    126 - Courtney STEPHENS - 2014-17
    126 - Whitney MASTERS - 2011-14
4. 119 - Caroline JORDAN - 2013-16
T-5. 116 - Whitney HENDRY - 2004-07
T-5. 116 - Maggie RICK - 2015-present
7. 114 - Olivia MESNER - 2011-14
8. 113 - Holly YOUNGQUIST - 2008-11
T-9. 108 - Brooke YOUNGQUIST - 2004-07
T-9. 108 - Karissa RHOADES - 2015-present

ASUN CAREER RECORD BOOK

Hitting Percentage (min.  .333)
1. Sharonda Pickering (FGCU, 2017-present) - .397
2. Piper Morgan (UCF, 2001) - .381
3. Andrea Shanks (Samford, 2001) - .379
4. Tamara Aldridge (Georgia State, 2001) - .377
5. Anna Popenko (Georgia State, 2001) - .371
5. Amanda Chapman (Mercer, 2001) - .371
7. Daniele Serrano (FGCU, 2016-present) - .347
 
Kills (min. 1,275)
1. Megan Devine (ETSU, 2010-13) – 1,940
2. Alex Kelly (Lipscomb, 2007-10) – 1,746
3. Lauren Ford (Lipscomb, 2011-14) – 1,597
4. Paige Pridgeon (North Florida, 2009-12) – 1,593
5. Maggie Johnson (Belmont, 2008-11) - 1,558
6. Lindsay Cleveland (Belmont, 2002-05) - 1,552
7. Jewell Dobson (Lipscomb, 2011-15) - 1,525
8. Amanda Carroll (FGCU, 2015-present) - 1,395
9. Katie Plummer (Mercer, 2001-04) - 1,390
10. Sammie Strausbaugh (Jacksonville, 2012-14) - 1,366
 
Kills Per Set (min. 3.60)
1. Leyre Sante (UCF, 2001-02) – 4.69
2. Carlyle Nusbaum (Lipscomb, 2015-present) – 4.52
3. Rachel Hassan (Troy, 2001-03) – 4.46
4. Anna Popenko (Georgia State, 2001) – 4.35
5. Erika van Hootegem (Troy, 2001) – 4.18
6. Amanda Carroll (FGCU, 2015-present) – 4.01
 
Assists (min. 2,500)
1. Colleen Nilson (Belmont, 2004-07) – 5,636
2. April DeCoste (Georgia State, 2001-04) – 5,391
3. Stefine "Jake" Pease (Lipscomb, 2007-10) – 5,159
4. Kendall Courtney (Jacksonville, 2010-13) – 4,851
5. Sara Metroka (Kennesaw State, 2010-13) – 4,427
6. Gigi Meyer (FGCU, 2011-14) – 4,408
7. Maggie Rick (FGCU, 2015-present) – 4,152
8. Jenny Frank (UCF, 2001-03) – 4,102
9. Kristi Piedimonte (Kennesaw State, 2014-17) – 4,005
10. Kayla Weller (Stetson, 2012-15) – 3,789

UPDATED ASUN STANDINGS
1. Kennesaw State – 15-4, 6-0
2. FGCU – 13-6, 6-1
3. Lipscomb – 10-8, 5-1
4. Liberty – 7-12, 4-2
5. Stetson – 12-7, 4-3
6. NJIT – 4-17, 2-5
7. North Florida – 6-16, 1-5
7. Jacksonville – 2-16, 1-5
9. North Alabama – 2-14, 0-7
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU volleyball program, follow us on Twitter at @FGCU_VB, on Facebook at /FGCUVolleyball and on Instagram at @FGCU_VB.
 
COACH BOTSFORD
Matt Botsford is in his fifth season as head coach of the FGCU women's volleyball program in 2018 after being hired on Feb. 10, 2014. In his four plus seasons, Botsford-led teams have compiled a 101-44 (.697) record overall, including a 48-15 (.762) record in ASUN play. He has taken the program to heights it has not seen in the Division-I era (2007-present) – registering at least 20 wins overall in three straight seasons and at least 10 wins in conference play four straight seasons. Furthermore, the team's offensive efficiency has drastically improved since Botsford started. In his first two seasons, his squad produced hitting percentages of .212 and .220. The past two, which have seen .267 and .256 percentages, are the third and fourth highest in program history. All four seasons under Botsford have seen a top-3 ASUN regular season finish and at least an ASUN semifinal appearance. His first two campaigns resulted in regular season runner-up finishes, and the past two have seen the Eagles advance to the tournament championship. On Sept. 10, 2016, Botsford led his team to a five-set win over Indiana in Alico Arena, which signified the program's first-ever win over a team from a Power-5 conference.
 
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 contribute, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help.