Matchup: FGCU (18-6, 9-1 ASUN) vs North Alabama (2-17, 0-10 ASUN)
When: Oct. 26 | 6 PM ET | Alico Arena
Links: Live Stats | Video
Coaches: Matt Botsford - 5th season at FGCU – 107-44 (.709); same overall | Bob White - 1st season at North Alabama – 2-17 (.105); 16th overall – 464-109 (.810)
Promotions: Pre-event for Dunk City After Dark | Beat Cancer Fundraiser (pre-match sales of pink shirts to support the American Cancer Society)

Matchup: FGCU vs NJIT (4-21, 2-8 ASUN)
When: Oct. 28 | 1 PM ET | Alico Arena
Links: Live Stats | Video
Coach: Peter Volkert - 5th season at NJIT – 46-109 (.297); 25th season overall – 394-395 (.499)
Promotions: Faculty and staff appreciation prior to the match

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU volleyball team (18-6, 9-1 ASUN) will host North Alabama and NJIT this weekend as the Green and Blue will be looking for the program's fourth straight season with 20 or more wins overall, including 10 or more in conference play in each of those seasons. Both would be firsts in the Division-I era (2007-present).

With two more wins this weekend, the Eagles would have just the third 11-1 start in ASUN play in program history and the first since the 2012 team opened 16-1. The 2008 team holds the record with an 18-1 start.

The Green and Blue has also won seven straight entering this weekend, which includes a 13-set winning streak. It is the seventh-straight season the program has recorded at least one seven-match streak and should they win both this weekend, they would own the fifth-longest streak of the era:

2016 - 15 straight
2012 - 15 straight
2007 - 14 straight
2008 - 12 straight

Last year's team also won 22 consecutive sets, which is the second-longest streak in the program's Division-I era behind the 2007 team's 30-set streak. With two more straight-set outcomes this weekend, this year's team would have 19 in a row.

ASUN CHASE
There are four teams currently still alive in the conference championship race – Kennesaw State (10-0), FGCU (9-1), Lipscomb (8-2) and Liberty (7-3). Following this weekend, the Eagles will hit the road to face Lipscomb and Kennesaw State next weekend before closing out the regular season against Stetson and Liberty the following week. The Nov. 10 tilt against Liberty will be the team's senior day.

1. Kennesaw State – 19-4, 10-0
2. FGCU – 18-6, 9-1
3. Lipscomb – 13-9, 8-2
4. Liberty – 11-13, 7-3
5. Stetson – 12-9, 4-5
6. North Florida – 9-18, 4-7
7. NJIT – 4-21, 2-8
8. Jacksonville – 3-21, 2-10
9. North Alabama – 2-17, 0-10

SERIES HISTORY
FGCU is 7-0 all-time against NJIT with all of the victories coming in straight sets. The matchup against North Alabama is just the second all-time following a straight set win earlier this season.

RPI
FGCU currently ranks 96th in the latest RPI poll. They are 4-3 against RPI top 100 teams including No. 9 UCF (0-2), No. 57 Miami (1-0), No. 69 New Mexico State (1-0), No. 83 Yale (1-0), No. 86 Florida Atlantic (1-0) and No. 88 Kennesaw State (0-1).

VERSATILITY
Maggie Rick (590), Chelsey Lockey (324) and Dana Axner (89) are looking to become just the second trio in program history to record at least 100 assists in one season. They would join the 2012 group of Gigi Meyer (683), Courtney Greenberg (510) and Whitney Masters (121).

In fact, only four times in program history has an FGCU volleyball team had at least two players with at least 100 assists:

2012 – Gigi Meyer (683), Courtney Greenberg (510), Whitney Masters (121)
2011 – Gigi Meyer (1050), Camil Dominguez (202)
2007 – Roberta Santos (606), Chandra Lefever (523)
2005 – Laura Manovill (689), Ciara Sandoval (679)

Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) currently has 4,275 assists, which is 134 shy of eclipsing Meyer's career record (4,408, 2011-14). With six regular season matches left, she would need to average 22.3 per match to become the all-time leader, although the postseason would also count. Lockey (Eaton, Colo./Eaton HS), meanwhile, has a pair of double-doubles this year and has recorded at least 16 assists in five of the past seven matches. Additionally, her season assist total is already ninth-most in the program's history for a career and seventh-most in the Division-I era.

SOPHOMORE SLUMP?
Cortney VanLiew (Seymour, Ind./Columbus East HS) has had a breakout sophomore campaign with at least 10 kills in 10 of the past 11 matches. She had her 10-match streak snapped on Tuesday against FIU, although she finished with nine kills and nine digs. Furthermore, she has pushed her career double-double total to 15 after nine this year, and she has 20 matches with at least 10 kills.
 
The ASUN's current leader in total kills now has 639 in her career, which is just 11 shy of eclipsing Jelena Simic (649, 2011-13) for eighth-most in the program's Division-I era.

RECORD-BREAKING CAMPAIGN
Axner (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman HS) had 26 more digs in Tuesday's win over FIU, which fell two short of tying her own Division-I era program record for most in a three-set match. Instead, she settled for tying Holly Youngquist for the second-most in a match and became just the fifth player in the program's Division-I era with at least 400 digs in a season (409), which puts her eighth on the single-season list - just 13 shy of passing Whitney Masters (421, 2012). She also now stands alone at 15th in career digs just 24 matches into her rookie campaign.

BLOCK PARTY
The trio of Daniele Serrano, Tori Morris and Sharonda Pickering has the FGCU volleyball team as one of the best in the nation offensively and defensively at the net. The Green and Blue are currently the nation's second-best team in opponent hitting percentage at .132, while they rank 24th on the offensive side at .263, which would be the third-best in the program's Division-I era.

Serrano (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS) currently leads the ASUN in block assists (97), total blocks (111) and blocks per set (1.39), and she is tied for eighth in solo blocks (14). Pickering (Sea Cow's Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands/Elmore Stoutt HS) ranks second in block assists (86) and fourth in total blocks (94) and blocks per set (1.19), while Morris (Virginia Beach, Va./Floyd E. Kellam HS) is second in blocks per set (1.38).

On top of those numbers, Serrano also ranks in the nation's top 20 in blocks (16th) and blocks per set (20th).

NORTH ALABAMA NOTES
North Alabama has lost 14 straight and are 2-17 overall this year, but have taken one set apiece from Kennesaw State and Lipscomb in their past two matches. Genesis Benitez had a team-high 30 digs against Lipscomb, and she's averaging just over 22 the past three matches. The team has been hurt by an ASUN second-worst .111 hitting percentage. Christina Ellwanger, who leads the team with 175 kills, is hitting at a .090 clip. Malaisia Stallworth, who recently had a team-high 14 kills in a five-set loss to North Florida, leads the team at .234.

NJIT NOTES
NJIT enters this weekend having lost four straight. They are 4-21 overall and will face Liberty on Friday before heading to Fort Myers. They are also coming off losses to Lipscomb and Kennesaw State. As a team, the Highlanders are hitting an ASUN-worst .096. Junior setter Liz Benson leads the team with 455 assists, while Adriana Nieto leads in digs with 401. In fact, Nieto has an ASUN-best 5.01 digs per set - just ahead of FGCU's Dana Axner, who holds a lead over Nieto in total digs with 409.

ASUN TOP 10 LEADERS (INDIVIDUAL)
Kills – Cortney VanLiew (1st, 331)
Kills/Set – Cortney VanLiew (2nd, 3.99)
Hitting Percentage – Sharonda Pickering (1st, .429), Daniele Serrano (3rd, .343)
Assists – Maggie Rick (5th, 590), Chelsey Lockey (10th, 323)
Assists/Set – Maggie Rick (6th, 7.11)
Aces – Karissa Rhoades (T-6th, 22)
Digs – Dana Axner (1st, 409)
Digs/Set – Dana Axner (2nd, 4.93)
Solo Blocks – Daniele Serrano (T-8th, 14)
Block Assists – Daniele Serrano (1st, 97), Sharonda Pickering (2nd, 86)
Total Blocks – Daniele Serrano (1st, 111), Sharonda Pickering (4th, 94)
Blocks/Set – Daniele Serrano (1st, 1.39), Tori Morris (2nd, 1.38), Sharonda Pickering (4th, 1.19)
Points – Cortney VanLiew (2nd, 365.5)
Points/Set – Cortney VanLiew (2nd, 4.4)

ASUN TOP 10 LEADERS (TEAM)
Kills – 4th, 1,130
Kills/Set – 2nd, 13.61
Hitting Percentage – 1st, .263
Assists – 4th, 1,058
Assists/Set – 2nd, 12.75
Aces – 5th, 101
Aces/Set – 5th, 1.22
Digs – 3rd, 1,348
Digs/Set – 2nd, 16.24
Solo Blocks – 5th, 46
Block Assists – 1st, 386
Total Blocks – 1st, 239
Blocks/Set – 1st, 2.88
Points – 4th, 1470.0
Points/Set – 1st, 17.7

NATIONAL LEADERS (TEAM)
Opponent Hitting Percentage – 2nd, .132
Blocks/Set – 7th, 2.88
Total Blocks – 4th, 239.0
Hitting Percentage – 24th, .263
Assists/Set – 51st, 12.75
Kills/Set – 51st, 13.61
Digs/Set – 64th, 16.24

NATIONAL LEADERS (INDIVIDUAL)
Kills – Cortney VanLiew (38th, 331)
Kills/Set – Cortney VanLiew (50th, 3.99)
Digs – Dana Axner (48th, 409)
Digs/Set – Dana Axner (54th, 4.93)
Blocks – Daniele Serrano (16th, 111), Sharonda Pickering (66th, 94)
Blocks/Set – Daniele Serrano (20th, 1.39), Sharonda Pickering (71st, 1.19)
Points – Cortney VanLiew (44th, 365.5)
Points/Set – Cortney VanLiew (58th, 4.40)
Hitting Percentage – Sharonda Pickering (3rd, .429), Daniele Serrano (89th, .343)
 
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. 3.38 - Cortney VANLIEW (189 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. .399 - Sharonda PICKERING (190-37-383) - 2017-present
3. .363 - Ericka FONSECA (837-184-1,801) - 2005-06
4. .351 - Daniele SERRANO (541-114-1,217) - 2016-present
5. .331 - Olivia MESNER (1,132-353-2,356) - 2011-14
 
Assists
1. 4,408 - Gigi MEYER (474 sets) - 2011-14
2. 4,275 - Maggie RICK (421 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
6. 1089 - Camil DOMINGUEZ (164 sets) - 2010-11
7. 679 - Ciara SANDOVAL (85 sets) - 2005
8. 510 - Courtney GREENBERG (115 sets) - 2012-13
9. 324 - Chelsey LOCKEY (75 sets) – 2018-present
10. 309 - Whitney MASTERS (483 sets) - 2011-14
 
Assists per set (min. 50 sets)
1. 10.06 - Chandra LEFEVER (309 sets) - 2006-07,09
2. 9.94 - Maggie RICK (430 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
6. 7.99 - Ciara SANDOVAL (85 sets) - 2005
7. 6.64 - Camil DOMINGUEZ (164 sets) - 2010-11
8. 4.43 - Courtney GREENBERG (115 sets) - 2012-13
9. 4.32 - Chelsey LOCKEY (75 sets) – 2018-present
10. 2.11 - Marina ADAMI (54 sets) - 2015-16

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. 86 - Maggie RICK (430 sets) - 2015-present
10. 78 - Whitney MASTERS (483 sets) - 2011-14
      78 - Karissa RHOADES (342 sets) - 2015-present

Serve pct. (min. 50 serves)
1. .977 - Snowy BURNAM (258 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
9. .953 - Dana AXNER (322 serves) – 2018-present
10. .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. 861 - Karissa RHOADES (342 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
3. 47 - Daniele SERRANO (305 sets) - 2016-present
4. 45 - Ashley YANCE (313 sets) - 2005-09
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. 265 - Daniele SERRANO (305 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. 312 - Daniele SERRANO (305 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. 121 - Maggie RICK - 2015-present
5. 119 - Caroline JORDAN - 2013-16
6. 116 - Whitney HENDRY - 2004-07
7. 114 - Olivia MESNER - 2011-14
8. 113 - Holly YOUNGQUIST - 2008-11
    113 - Karissa RHOADES - 2015-present
10. 108 - Brooke YOUNGQUIST - 2004-07

ASUN CAREER RECORD BOOK

Hitting Percentage (min.  .333)
1. Sharonda Pickering (FGCU, 2017-present) - .399
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) - .351
 
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) – 4,275
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
 
FGCU Weekly ASUN Awards
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
Oct. 15 - Defensive Player of the Week – Daniele Serrano; Freshman of the Week – Dana Axner
Oct. 22 - Freshman of the Week - Tori Morris
 
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 107-44 (.709) record overall, including a 51-15 (.773) 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.