LAKEPOINT, Ga. - After winning the program's first ASUN regular season championship since 2012, the FGCU volleyball team dominated the conference's postseason awards, which were announced at Wednesday night's postseason banquet with seven Eagles earning superlative, academic or all-freshmen team awards.

Sophomore outside hitter Cortney VanLiew became the first unanimous ASUN player of the year in program history. She joins Amanda Carroll (2017) and Ana Kokanovic (2007) as one of just three players in program history to win the award.

Dana Axner, meanwhile, made plenty of history. Not only did the libero become the first freshman in program history to be named to the conference's first team, she also took home the ASUN's freshman and defensive player of the year awards. She is the first player in conference history to win both, which also makes her the first-ever rookie defensive player of the year. She is the fourth player in program history to be named the top freshman, joining Snowy Burnam (2017), Amanda Carroll (2015) and Jill Hopper (2011), and she is the first player in program history to be named the defensive player of the year.
 
Maggie Rick was named the program's first-ever outright ASUN Scholar Athlete of the Year, joining Carroll's co-selection last year as one of only two in program history to win the award. Rick also earned a spot on the ASUN's second team and, in doing so, she is the first in program history to be a four-time all-conference player and a three-time all-academic team selection.

CORTNEY VANLIEW
ASUN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
FIRST TEAM ALL-ASUN
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM

VanLiew (Seymour, Ind./Columbus East HS), a sophomore outside hitter, highlighted the selections by being named the unanimous ASUN player of the year and earning a spot on the ASUN's all-academic team. This year, after taking on a bigger offensive role following the injury to Amanda Carroll, she finished first in the ASUN in kills (416), second in kills per set (4.00), 13th in digs (274), 16th in digs per set (2.63) and 17th in hitting percentage (.260). She had 23 matches with 10 or more kills, 14 matches with 10 or more digs and 11 double-doubles in kills and digs. Her 416 kills this year is the third most in the program's Division-I era, and her 724 career kills is sixth-most in program history.

"We knew that Cortney was going to play a big role within our line-up this season, but after the injury to Amanda, she was suddenly asked to do much more," FGCU head coach Matt Botsford said. "Her response to that challenge was exactly what you hope for as a coach. She wanted to help her team, worked extremely hard to position herself to help her team and relished the opportunity to take on more responsibility out on the floor. She has made huge strides in every aspect of the game since last season and continues to improve as a player."

Among matches against RPI top-100 opponents, VanLiew had 16 kills and eight digs against UCF, 20 kills and nine digs against Miami (Fla.), 19 kills and 10 digs vs Yale, 17 kills vs FAU and a combined 34 kills and 24 digs in two matchups against Kennesaw State.

"Cortney is a volume attacker who is asked to bail us out of tough situations, and she has been amazing at doing exactly that," Botsford said. "The efficiency that she has played with this year has far exceeded my own expectations, but I don't think they have met her own. That is what makes her great. She always wants more. She has worked hard to be a better blocker, a better passer and a better defender. The fact that she is able to play such a significant role in all of those areas is why I think that the player of the year award is such a fitting honor."

Academically, VanLiew has compiled a cumulative 4.0 GPA, while earning Dean's List and Honors College recognition each semester.

MAGGIE RICK
ASUN SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
SECOND-TEAM ALL-ASUN

Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS), who became the program's all-time assist leader this season, becomes the first four-time all-conference and three-time all-academic team selection in program history.
 
The senior setter, who had a season-high 48 assists in the conference title clinching win over Stetson, broke Gigi Meyer's (4,408, 2011-14) career record with 4,430 and finished fifth in the ASUN in assists despite spending time in a 6-2 with freshman Chelsey Lockey. She currently ranks fifth all-time in ASUN history and led the ASUN in assists her sophomore and junior seasons after finishing second as a freshman.

"Maggie has been such a great player for us over the years and this season she was asked to sacrifice a lot," Botsford said. "For three seasons, she ran this offense on her own and has been magnificent in doing so. This season, we thought we could explore another option that might provide us a different look, and when we did, she never once worried about herself. She wanted what was best for this team and her response to that change has made all the difference. The way she has handled herself speaks to the kind of leader and competitor she is. It has been an absolute pleasure to coach Maggie. She is such a talent and watching her grow over the years in her position has been so rewarding."

Rick has 20 career double-doubles, including 10 as a senior alone and is one of just two players in program history with at least 1,000 assists and 800 digs in a career. She is the program's all-time leader in matches played (127) and owns the third, fourth and fifth highest single season assist totals in program history. Furthermore, she is the only player with four of the top 10 seasons and owns five of the top 15 single match assist totals in program history.

Academically, Rick has compiled a 3.89 cumulative GPA with a major in economics and a minor in management. She is a six-time athletic director's honor roll student, a two-time president's list recipient and a four-time dean's list member. She has been a member of the FGCU honors college since her freshman year.

Away from the court, Rick has registered nearly 60 service learning hours and serves on the Eagles Council Community Service Committee. She has teamed with VanLiew to help plan and execute a service project where the Eagles Council partners with the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County. The duo teaches young kids how to make friendship bracelets in an effort to form positive relationships and encourage them to make friends of all kinds. She has volunteered 20 hours this semester already toward this project.

"For all the amazing things that Maggie has accomplished here at FGCU as an athlete, she has always been more than just that," Botsford said. "Her recognition as the scholar athlete of the year is representative of the person she is beyond the volleyball court and serves as a reminder of how the talents that make her great in the athletics arena have pushed her toward excellence in academics as well. Maggie has worked extremely hard throughout her career here at FGCU to take full advantage of the experience as a whole, and in doing so has impacted much more than our volleyball program.  She has shown that you can balance these two worlds and excel in both. I am so proud of the effort this young woman has dedicated to fulfilling her own potential and am ecstatic that she has received this prestigious award."

DANA AXNER
ASUN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ASUN FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
ASUN ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
FIRST TEAM ALL-ASUN

Axner (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman HS) had a monumental freshman season in the Green and Blue, breaking the ASUN's all-time record for most conference freshman of the week awards (Aug. 27, Sept. 4, Oct. 8, Oct. 15, Nov. 5, Nov. 12) and she earned defensive player of the week recognition on Sept. 11.

"Dana has had an amazing freshman year and really put her stamp on this team," Botsford said. "What she has done for us defensively has been so impressive to watch, and when you remind yourself that it is only her first year, you can't help but be amazed."

Axner, a 5-8 libero, finished first in the ASUN in digs (536) and digs per set (5.15) while ranking 30th in all of NCAA Division-I in digs and 33rd in digs per set. She has recorded double-digit digs in 27 of 30 matches this year, including 18 straight. She's had 20 + digs in four straight and nine of the past 15 matches.

"She is among the most competitive players I have ever coached, and you can see that each time she is out on the court," Botsford said. "Her passion for the game, her desire to excel in the position and her work ethic have made her what she is. To be chosen as the defensive player of the year as a freshman is an unbelievable honor - and a deserving one. Dana's addition to this program has helped us build a more complete team."

On Sept. 8, Axner broke the program's Division-I era record with 39 digs against West Virginia. She also holds the Division-I era record for most digs in a three-set match with 28 against Stetson on Oct. 9. Her 536 digs are the most by a freshman in program history and the second most in the program's Division-I era. She has already moved up to 12th in program history in career digs just 30 matches into her career. She holds four of the top 11 three-set dig totals. Earlier in the season, she was named to the All-Lobo Classic team and the All-Homewood Suites Fort Myers/FGCU Classic team.

SHARONDA PICKERING
FIRST TEAM ALL-ASUN

Pickering (Sea Cow's Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands) has had a breakout senior campaign, leading the ASUN and ranking third in all of NCAA Division-I in hitting percentage (.430). She ranks fourth in the conference in blocks per set (1.14) and second in block assists behind Serrano. She hit over .400 in 18 of 30 matches and is on pace to break the FGCU and ASUN career records for hitting percentage (.413).

"Sharonda has had a remarkable season and has done so playing a new position," Botsford said. "The numbers are staggering and her ability to embrace the change has been so exciting for us as a staff. Her impact on the right side has been a big factor in our successes both offensively and defensively. Her ability to take over a game on both sides of the ball is something we knew existed, but the difference this year has been her consistency. I am so happy to see her being recognized for her contributions on the floor."

Pickering is on pace to break FGCU's single season hitting percentage record, and she has three or more blocks in 23 of 30 matches, five or more blocks 12 times and 10 or more kills three times this year, including a season-high 12 against Liberty on Nov. 10. She had eight or more kills in 15 matches, while compiling 114 total blocks - over twice as many as she had last year and nearly six times the number of kills than she had as a junior (200 to 34).

DANIELE SERRANO
SECOND TEAM ALL-ASUN

Among all Division-I players, Serrano (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS) ranks 13th in total blocks, 18th in blocks per set and 58th in hitting percentage. Among ASUN players, she ranks first in block assists, first in total blocks, first in blocks per set, third in hitting percentage and seventh in solo blocks. She broke FGCU's all-time career records for total blocks and block assists this year as a junior and shattered the program's single season records for block assists and total blocks. Overall, she produced 20 matches with at least four blocks this year, including a career-high 10 (two solo) against New Mexico on Aug. 31, and she had five matches with at least eight blocks.

"Dani has been a rock in our lineup since her freshman year," Botsford said. "To play at the level she has, for that duration, has provided us unprecedented stability at a very important position. What she has done this year as an attacker and a blocker has really opened things up for other players, which can often get overlooked."

Serrano was a three-time ASUN defensive player of the week (Sept. 4, Oct. 15, Nov. 15) this year. She was named to the All-Lobo Classic and All-Volleyknights Invitational teams.

"Her ability to read and adjust within the flow of the match is something that I have learned to really appreciate about Dani," Botsford said. "She understands what we are trying to do on the floor, how to do it and how to maximize her own impact on what is happening. She has really grown this season and is a much more cerebral player which adds an entire new wrinkle to an already stellar skill set."

CHELSEY LOCKEY
ASUN ALL-FRESHMEN TEAM

Lockey (Eaton, Colo./Eaton HS), who was named the ASUN's freshman of the week on Sept. 24, registered 10 + assists in 25 of 30 matches, including 10 straight to close the regular season while working with Rick in a 6-2. She had two double-doubles in assists and digs, a season-high 25 assists on Oct. 19 vs North Florida and her 413 assists is the 15th most in a single season in FGCU's Division-I era. She had 17 assists in a win over Kennesaw State that moved FGCU into sole possession of first place in the conference standings.

"We have asked a lot out of Chelsey this season, and I couldn't be more pleased with the way she has responded," Botsford said. "She has played with poise and maturity well beyond her years, allowing us to a run a system that suited our personnel and put us in a great position to be successful. Being able to come in as a freshman and set an offense as well as she has, is quite an accomplishment. Beyond the setting, Chelsey has also proven to be a great defender on top of being a server that can pressure our opponents. She is dedicated to her craft, and I have really enjoyed working with her and watching her grow within the role."

TORI MORRIS
ASUN ALL-FRESHMEN TEAM

Morris (Virginia Beach, Va./Floyd E. Kellam HS), who was named the ASUN's freshman of the week on Oct. 22, ranks third in the ASUN in blocks per set (1.15). She started nearly every match the second half of the season and produced seven matches with four or more blocks, including a season-high nine twice - vs Lipscomb on Oct. 7 and Jacksonville on Oct. 21. She hit .330 for the season and totaled 60 blocks (six solo) this season, and she recorded four solo blocks vs FAU on Aug. 24, which is tied for the most in a single match in program's Division-I era.

"Tori has done an excellent job in her freshman campaign, and the contributions she has made this conference season have helped us tremendously," Botsford said. "She has the potential in every match to make an impact as a blocker and as the year has progressed she has found a nice rhythm with her attacking. She is such a gifted athlete, and such a threat along the net, it forces teams to play us differently. You can see her development every time she takes the floor, and that upward trajectory has put her in a position where she is being relied upon much more as the year has gone on.

MATT BOTSFORD
ASUN COACH OF THE YEAR

Botsford, a fifth-year head coach, led his team to a conference championship for the first time in his tenure and captured his 100th career victory on Oct. 26 with a three-set win over North Alabama on the road. In his tenure, he has compiled a 113-44 (.720) record, including a 57-15 (.792) record in ASUN play.

"Matt understands and analyzes the game more than anyone I've met," Rick said of her coach. "He's extremely passionate about winning and helping us play at the highest level we're capable of. But, beyond that, he cares so much about us as players and people. He wants nothing but the best for each of us individually and as a team. He's put in so much work since she's been at FGCU, and I'm so glad he is being recognized."

NOTES
This is the fourth consecutive season in which FGCU has placed at least two players on the all-freshmen team, but this is the first time they've had three. In fact, this year's team now has eight current or former selections to the conference's all-freshmen team, and three of those are either current or former freshman of the year recipients - Axner, Burnam and Carroll.
 
Botsford's coach of the year selection is the program's third all-time, joining Dave Nichols in 2012 and Jaye Flood in 2007.

The three first-team selections are tied for the most in program history with the 2016 team, and the five all-conference selections is tied with the 2015 team for most overall in one year.

UP NEXT
FGCU (24-6, 15-1 ASUN) captured the program's fourth ASUN regular season championship this year and will open the ASUN tournament in Kennesaw, Ga. on Friday with a semifinal match at 5 p.m. against the winner of No. 4 Liberty and No. 5 Stetson. That quarterfinal will take place on Thursday. The winner of the semifinal advances to Saturday's championship at 7 p.m. The Green and Blue are the two-time defending runners-up and looking for the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament berth.

FGCU has won 20 or more matches in four consecutive seasons and tallied 10 or more conference victories in five straight. They are currently riding a 13-match winning streak, which is tied for the fourth-longest in the program's Division-I era.

2018 ASUN Conference All-Conference and Postseason Honors
Unanimous Player of the Year: Cortney VanLiew (FGCU)
Defensive Player of the Year: Dana Axner (FGCU)
Setter of the Year: Lexi Broadwater (Kennesaw State)
Freshman of the Year: Dana Axner (FGCU)
Coach of the Year: Matt Botsford (FGCU)

First Team All-Conference
*OH - Cortney VanLiew (FGCU)
*^OH - Carlyle Nusbaum (Lipscomb)
MB - Sharonda Pickering (FGCU)
L - Dana Axner (FGCU)
OH - Lauren Chastang (Kennesaw State)
S - Lexi Broadwater (Kennesaw State)
RS - Casey Goodwin (Liberty)
* Denotes unanimous first-team selection
^ Denotes a three-time first-team selection

Second Team All-Conference
S - Maggie Rick (FGCU)
MB - Daniele Serrano (FGCU)
MB - Liesl Engelbrecht (Kennesaw State)
MB - Anna Gragg (Liberty)
MB - Kainah Williams (Liberty)
L - Adriana Nieto (NJIT)
MB - Hao Jin (Stetson)

All-Freshmen Team
*L - Dana Axner (FGCU)
*S - Chelsey Lockey (FGCU)
*MB - Tori Morris (FGCU)
*OH - Dani Ballou (Kennesaw State)
*OH - Logan Gish (Lipscomb)
*OH - Solimar Cestero (North Florida)
OH - Lilly Kruse (Liberty)
*Denotes unanimous all-freshmen team selection

ASUN Conference Volleyball All-Academic Team
Scholar Athlete of the Year: Maggie Rick (FGCU)

All-Academic Team
^Maggie Rick (FGCU)
Cortney VanLiew (FGCU)
Sara Dyslin (Jacksonville)
Natalie Wehner (Jacksonville)
Liesl Engelbrecht (Kennesaw State
Hannah Morris (Liberty)
#Morgan Elmore (Lipscomb)
# Denotes two-time all-academic team selection
^ - Denotes three-time all-academic team selection

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 113-44 (.720) record overall, including a 57-15 (.792) record in ASUN play. Including this season, 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 four straight seasons and at least 10 wins in conference play five 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.

FOOD DRIVE
FGCU is collecting food donations at home events all during November to benefit FGCU Campus and Harry Chapin Food Banks. Donations can be dropped off at the marketing table in the Alico Arena lobby.

TOY DRIVE
The FGCU athletic and police departments, Lee County Sheriff's Office and Heroes Unlimited have teamed up to participate in a holiday toy drive. New, unwrapped toys are being collected and will be delivered to the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida this holiday season. Collection boxes have been placed in the lobbies of Alico Arena, UPD and the FGCU Family Resource Center until Wednesday, Dec. 14. No toy is too small, and all toys will be wrapped prior to delivery.