Matchup: FGCU (12-6, 5-1 ASUN) vs Stetson (12-6, 4-2 ASUN)
When: Oct. 9 | 6 PM ET | Alico Arena
Links: Live Stats | Video (Facebook Live)
Coach: Matt Botsford (5th season at FGCU – 101-44 (.697); same overall) | Yang Deng (2nd season at Stetson – 15-29 (.341); same overall)
Promotions: Hat Contest (best fan hats will win prizes) | Rally Towels (free to all FGCU fans with Wings Up app) | Beat Cancer Fundraiser (proceeds from $10 t-shirt sales benefit the American Cancer Society)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU volleyball team (12-6, 5-1 ASUN) will look to remain near the top of the ASUN standings when hosting Stetson (12-6, 4-2 ASUN) in a midweek conference matchup in Alico Arena at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Eagles will enter the match tied with Lipscomb (10-8, 5-1), just one match behind Kennesaw State for the conference lead. Friday's road tilt at Liberty will officially mark the midway point of the conference race.

SERIES HISTORY
FGCU is 19-2 all-time against Stetson dating back to the first matchup in the series on Sept. 29, 2007. The Green and Blue has won nine straight overall, including four straight in three sets, and they're 9-1 in Alico Arena.

AXNER x 3
Dana Axner was named the ASUN freshman of the week on Monday. It represented the third time she has won the award this season, which ties her with Amanda Carroll (2015), Daniele Serrano (2016) and Cortney VanLiew (2017) for the most in program history. In fact, she's just two shy of tying the ASUN's all-time single season record.

Axner (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman HS), who is also a one-time ASUN defensive player of the week, 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 4.60 digs per set currently ranks second best since 2007 behind Vanessa Benke's 4.65 in 2015.

The libero is now averaging 4.60 digs per set with 290 total digs, which ranks second and fourth in the ASUN, respectively. On top of that, her 72 assists ranks third on the team and 18th-best in the conference, while her 13 aces is tied for 16th-best. Furthermore, she is just three digs shy of matching Carroll's (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia HS) season-total of 293 from 2016, which would place her among the program's top 20 single seasons in the Division-I era, and she's entering just her 19th career match.

STETSON NOTES
Stetson has won three in a row and six of the past eight entering Tuesday. They are coming off a weekend sweep of NJIT and North Alabama where they hit. 262 combined and didn't allow more than 18 points in any set. In fact, along with the team's straight-set win over North Florida in the prior match, they have won three consecutive matches in straight sets for the first time since 1990. They are seeking the program's first four-match winning streak since 2014.
 
Offensively, Stetson is led by Eva Deisa (193 kills) and Hao Jin (168). Chelcie Spence leads the way with 4.50 digs per set while the Hatters lead the ASUN and rank 29th in the NCAA with 17.14 digs per set. Jin leads the conference with 16 solo blocks.
 
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 .445 over 220 attempts, but the senior middle blocker has also taken over the No. 1 spot nationally as of Monday. 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 .404, which is just ahead of Cara Ziegler (.403, 2006-07) for the program's top spot. If she keeps up that pace, she will also finish her career atop the conference's all-time record book.

THE CHASE
Serrano (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS), a junior middle blocker, is not only two kills shy of 500 in her career, but she is approaching top three status in program history in solo, assisted and total blocks. Her 44 solo blocks is currently fourth, just one shy of tying Ashley Yance (45, 2005-09). She also sits at 238 block assists, which is four shy of matching Yance (242, 2005-09) for second place, and her 282 total blocks is five shy of Yance (287) for second.

MAGGIE'S WORLD
With her 57 assists this past weekend, Maggie Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) 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) – 4,128
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 (4th, 250)
Kills/Set – Cortney VanLiew (2nd, 3.97)
Hitting Percentage – Sharonda Pickering (1st, .445), Daniele Serrano (2nd, .322)
Assists – Maggie Rick (7th, 443), Chelsey Lockey (10th, 232)
Assists/Set – Maggie Rick (7th, 7.03)
Digs – Dana Axner (4th, 290)
Digs/Set – Dana Axner (2nd, 4.60)
Solo Blocks – Daniele Serrano (T-8th, 11)
Block Assists – Daniele Serrano (2nd, 70), Sharonda Pickering (8th, 55)
Total Blocks – Daniele Serrano (2nd, 81), Sharonda Pickering (8th, 63)
Blocks/Set – Daniele Serrano (1st, 1.33), Tori Morris (2nd, 1.19), Sharonda Pickering (T-4th, 1.07)
Points – Cortney VanLiew (5th, 273.5)

ASUN TOP 10 LEADERS (TEAM)
Kills – 5th, 841
Kills/Set – 3rd, 13.35
Hitting Percentage – 1st, .255
Assists – 5th, 789
Assists/Set – 3rd, 12.52
Aces – 4th, 82
Digs – 5th, 998
Digs/Set – 2nd, 15.84
Solo Blocks – 4th, 36
Block Assists – 2nd, 274
Total Blocks – 2nd, 173
Blocks/Set – 1st, 2.75
Points/Set – 2nd, 17.4

NATIONAL LEADERS (TEAM)
Opponent Hitting Percentage – 2nd, .131
Blocks/Set – 15th, 2.75
Total Blocks – 32nd, 173.0
Hitting Percentage – 35th, .255
Assists/Set – 64th, 12.52
Kills/Set – 70th, 13.35

NATIONAL LEADERS (INDIVIDUAL)
Kills – Cortney VanLiew (71st, 250)
Kills/Set – Cortney VanLiew (53rd, 3.97)
Digs – Dana Axner (110th, 290)
Digs/Set – Dana Axner (88th, 4.60)
Blocks – Daniele Serrano (40th, 81)
Blocks/Set – Daniele Serrano (30th, 1.33)
Points – Cortney VanLiew (90th, 273.5)
Points/Set – Cortney VanLiew (67th, 4.34)
Hitting Percentage – Sharonda Pickering (1st, .445)
 
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. 3.30 - Cortney VANLIEW (169 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. .404 - Sharonda PICKERING (151-29-302) - 2017-present
2. .403 - Cara ZIEGLER (312-56-636) - 2006-07
3. .363 - Ericka FONSECA (837-184-1,801) - 2005-06
4. .347 - Daniele SERRANO (498-108-1,125) - 2016-present
5. .331 - Olivia MESNER (1,132-353-2,356) - 2011-14
 
Assists
1. 4,408 - Gigi MEYER (474 sets) - 2011-14
2. 4,128 - Maggie RICK (410 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. 10.07 - Maggie RICK (410 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. 83 - Maggie RICK (410 sets) - 2015-present
10. 78 - Whitney MASTERS (483 sets) - 2011-14

Serve pct. (min. 50 serves)
1. .989 - Snowy BURNAM (174 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. .952 - Dana AXNER (248 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. 855 - Karissa RHOADES (324 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. 44 - Daniele SERRANO (286 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. 238 - Daniele SERRANO (286 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. 282 - Daniele SERRANO (286 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. 115 - Maggie RICK - 2015-present
7. 114 - Olivia MESNER - 2011-14
8. 113 - Holly YOUNGQUIST - 2008-11
9. 108 - Brooke YOUNGQUIST - 2004-07
10. 107 - 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) - .404
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) – 4,128
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 – 12-6 (5-1)
2. Lipscomb – 10-8 (5-1)
4. Stetson – 12-6 (4-2)
4. Liberty – 7-12 (4-2)
6. North Florida – 6-16 (1-5)
6. NJIT – 3-17 (1-5)
6. Jacksonville – 2-16 (1-5)
9. North Alabama – 2-13 (0-6)
 
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 47-15 (.758) 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.