Matchup: FGCU (11-5, 4-0 ASUN) vs Kennesaw State (13-4, 4-0 ASUN)
When: Oct. 5 | 7 PM | Alico Arena
Links: Live Stats | Video (Facebook Live)
Coaches: Matt Botsford (5th season at FGCU – 100-43 (.699); same overall) | Keith Schunzel (5th season at Kennesaw State – 73-60 (.549); same overall)
Promotions: Chalk Talk Night (Pizza with Coach Botsford) | Poster Signing (stay after the game to have your poster signed by the players) | Blue Out (wear blue)
 
Matchup: FGCU vs Lipscomb (9-7, 4-0 ASUN)
When: Oct. 7 | 2 PM ET | Alico Arena
Links: Live Stats | Video (Facebook Live)
Coach: Brandon Rosenthal (15th season at Lipscomb – 273-176 (.608); same overall)
Promotions: Future Eagles Day (youth 12 and under in FGCU gear or FGCU camp shirts will get into the match for free and receive an FGCU tattoo) | White Out (wear white) | Pre-Match Coaches Chat (youth or high school coaches are invited to a pre-match meeting with Coach Botsford) | Beat Cancer Fundraiser (pre-match sales of pink shirts to support the American Cancer Society)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU volleyball team (11-5, 4-0 ASUN) will look for just the program's third-ever 6-0 start to ASUN play when they square off against Kennesaw State and Lipscomb this weekend – joining the 2012 team's 14-0 start and the 2008 team's 6-0 start.

The Friday night showdown against Kennesaw State (13-4, 4-0) is a rematch of last year's ASUN championship match in which the Owls won in three sets. Lipscomb, who won the previous three ASUN regular season championships, defeated FGCU in the 2016 ASUN title match.

RACE TO THE TOP
FGCU, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb and Liberty (7-10, 4-0) are all tied atop the ASUN standings, and they will all face each other this weekend. So, the next three days will play a crucial role in this season's championship race – especially as every other team has at least two losses in ASUN play.

SERIES HISTORY
The Eagles are 13-9 all-time against Kennesaw State, but the Owls have won six of the past eight. FGCU owns a 7-2 record in Alico Arena. Meanwhile, Lipscomb owns a 16-7 record against the Green and Blue, although FGCU has won the past two and three of the past five in the series.

NET PLAY KEY VS KENNESAW STATE
FGCU's defense has held opponents to a .127 hitting percentage this year, which ranks second in the nation. Meanwhile, they're hitting .258 as a team – 27th best in the nation. On the other side, Kennesaw State is holding opponents to a .156 hitting percentage, which is 23rd best in the nation, while hitting a 54th-best .246.

The Owls also have eight matches this year with at least 10 blocks. The middle duo of Quin Sutphin and Liesl Engelbrecht rank second and third, respectively, in the ASUN in total blocks. Engelbrecht is the first player in program history with over 300 career blocks.
 
ON A TEAR
Sharonda Pickering (Sea Cow's Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands/Elmore Stoutt HS) not only tops the conference in hitting percentage at .451 over 184 attempts, but the senior middle blocker is also second nationally in offensive efficiency. She has had two or fewer errors in all but one match this year. In matches where she's had at least 10 attempts, she has hit at least .304 in every one. Furthermore, she has raised her career hitting percentage to .402, which is just shy of Cara Ziegler's (.403, 2006-07) record. If she keeps up that pace, she will also finish her career atop the conference's all-time record book.

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 – Player – Freshman of the Week - Chelsey Lockey

ASUN LEADERS (INDIVIDUAL)
Kills – Cortney VanLiew (T-4th, 218)
Kills/Set – Cortney VanLiew (2nd, 3.96)
Hitting Percentage – Sharonda Pickering (1st, .451), Daniele Serrano (3rd, .338), Cortney VanLiew (13th, .269)
Assists – Maggie Rick (7th, 386), Chelsey Lockey (10th, 204)
Assists/Set – Maggie Rick (7th, 7.02), Chelsey Lockey (11th, 4.08)
Digs – Dana Axner (4th, 251)
Digs/Set – Dana Axner (2nd, 4.56)
Solo Blocks – Daniele Serrano (T-7th, 9)
Block Assists – Daniele Serrano (T-4th, 56), Sharonda Pickering (10th, 43)
Total Blocks – Daniele Serrano (T-5th, 65), Sharonda Pickering (9th, 50)
Blocks/Set – Daniele Serrano (1st, 1.23), Sharonda Pickering (8th, 0.98), Tori Morris (10th, 0.88)
Points – Cortney VanLiew (5th, 239.0)

ASUN LEADERS (TEAM)
Kills – 6th, 743
Kills/Set – 1st, 13.81
Hitting Percentage – 1st, .258
Assists – 5th, 696
Assists/Set – 2nd, 12.65
Aces – T-4th, 74
Digs – 5th, 861
Digs/Set – 2nd, 15.65
Solo Blocks – 5th, 32
Block Assists – 3rd, 220
Total Blocks – 5th, 142
Blocks/Set – 1st, 2.58
Points/Set – 1st, 17.4

NATIONAL LEADERS (TEAM)
Opponent Hitting Percentage – 2nd, .127
Hitting Percentage – 27th, .258
Blocks/Set – 33rd, 2.58
Kills/Set – 58th, 13.51
Assists/Set – 59th, 12.65
Total Blocks – 67th, 142.0

NATIONAL LEADERS (INDIVIDUAL)
Kills – Cortney VanLiew (84th, 218)
Kills/Set – Cortney VanLiew (56th, 3.96)
Digs – Dana Axner (134th, 251)
Digs/Set – Dana Axner (88th, 4.56)
Blocks – Daniele Serrano (101st, 65)
Blocks/Set – Daniele Serrano (59th, 1.23)
Points – Cortney VanLiew (122nd, 239.0)
Points/Set – Cortney VanLiew (69th, 4.35)
Hitting Percentage – Sharonda Pickering (2nd, .451)
Total Blocks – Daniele Serrano (101st, 65)
 
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. 3.27 - Cortney VANLIEW (161 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. .402 - Sharonda PICKERING (133-26-266) - 2017-present
3. .363 - Ericka FONSECA (837-184-1,801) - 2005-06
4. .351 - Daniele SERRANO (486-103-1,092) - 2016-present
5. .331 - Olivia MESNER (1,132-353-2,356) - 2011-14
 
Assists
1. 4,408 - Gigi MEYER (474 sets) - 2011-14
2. 4,071 - Maggie RICK (396 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. 10.13 - Maggie RICK (402 sets) - 2015-present
2. 10.06 - Chandra LEFEVER (309 sets) - 2006-07,09
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. 82 - Maggie RICK (402 sets) - 2015-present
10. 78 - Whitney MASTERS (483 sets) - 2011-14

Serve pct. (min. 50 serves)
1. .987 - Snowy BURNAM (155 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. .951 - Dana AXNER (225 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. 834 - Karissa RHOADES (310 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. 45 - Ashley YANCE (313 sets) - 2005-09
4. 42 - Daniele SERRANO (278 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. 242 - Ashley YANCE (313 sets) - 2005-09
3. 224 - Daniele SERRANO (278 sets) - 2016-present
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. 287 - Ashley YANCE (313 sets) - 2005-09
3. 266 - Daniele SERRANO (278 sets) - 2016-present
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
5. 116 - Whitney HENDRY - 2004-07
6. 114 - Olivia MESNER - 2011-14
7. 113 - Holly YOUNGQUIST - 2008-11
    113 - Maggie RICK - 2015-present
9. 108 - Brooke YOUNGQUIST - 2004-07
10. 105 - Karissa RHOADES - 2015-present
11. 99 - Jessica BARNES - 2010-11,13-14
      99 - Amanda CARROLL - 2015-present

ASUN CAREER RECORD BOOK

Hitting Percentage (min.  .333)
1. Sharonda Pickering (FGCU, 2017-present) - .402
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. Jenny Frank (UCF, 2001-03) – 4,102
8. Maggie Rick (FGCU, 2015-present) – 4,071
9. Kristi Piedimonte (Kennesaw State, 2014-17) – 4,005
10. Kayla Weller (Stetson, 2012-15) – 3,789

ASUN STANDINGS
1. Kennesaw State – 13-4 (4-0)
Next Three Match: at FGCU (10/5; 7 PM); at Liberty (10/7; 1 PM); at Jacksonville (10/12; 7 PM)
Last Three Matches: vs. North Florida (W, 3-1); vs Stetson (W, 3-0); at North Alabama (W, 3-0)
1. FGCU – 11-5 (4-0)
Next Three Matches: vs. Kennesaw State (10/5; 7 PM); vs. Lipscomb (10/7; 2 PM ET); vs. Stetson (10/9; 6 PM)
Last Three Matches: at North Alabama (W, 3-0); at NJIT (W, 3-0); at North Florida (W, 3-0)
1. Lipscomb – 9-7 (4-0)
Next Three Matches: at Liberty (10/5; 5 PM CT); at FGCU (10/7 - 1PM CT); vs. Jacksonville (10/13 - 2 PM CT)
Last Three Matches: vs. Stetson (W, 3-0); vs. North Florida (W, 3-1); at NJIT (W, 3-1)
1. Liberty – 7-10 (4-0)
Next Three Matches: vs. Lipscomb (10/5; 6 PM ET); vs. Kennesaw State (10/7; 1 PM); vs. FGCU (10/12; 6 PM)
Last Three Matches: at NJIT (W, 3-0); at North Alabama (W, 3-0); at Jacksonville (W, 3-0)
5. Stetson – 10-6 (2-2)
Next Three Matches: vs. NJIT (10/5; 6 PM); vs. North Alabama (10/6; 6 PM ET); at FGCU (10/9; 6 PM)
Last Three Matches: at North Florida (W, 3-0); at Lipscomb (L, 3-0); at Kennesaw State (L, 3-0)
6. North Florida – 6-16 (1-5)
Next Three Matches: at NJIT (10/12; 7 PM); at North Alabama (10/14; 2 PM ET); at FGCU (10/19; 7 PM)
Last Three Matches: vs. Stetson (L, 3-0); at Kennesaw State (L, 3-1); at Lipscomb (L, 3-1)
7. North Alabama – 2-11 (0-4)
Next Three Matches: at Jacksonville (10/5; 6 PM CT); at Stetson (10/6; 5 PM CT); at NJIT (10/9; 6 PM CT)
Last Three Matches: vs. FGCU (L, 3-0); vs. North Alabama (L, 3-0); vs. Kennesaw State (L, 3-0)
8. NJIT – 2-16 (0-4)
Next Three Matches: at Stetson (10/5; 6 PM); at Jacksonville (10/6; 6 PM); vs. North Alabama (10/9; 7 PM ET)
Last Three Matches: vs. Liberty (L, 3-0); vs. FGCU (L, 3-0); vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (W, 3-1)
9. Jacksonville – 1-15 (0-4)
Next Three Matches: vs. North Alabama (10/5; 7 PM); vs. NJIT (10/6; 6 PM); at Kennesaw State (10/12; 7 PM)
Last Three Matches: at North Florida (L, 3-0); vs. Liberty (L, 3-0); vs. FGCU (L, 3-0)
 
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 100-43 (.699) record overall, including a 46-14 (.767) 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.