ORLANDO, Fla. - The FGCU volleyball team (26-6) will open NCAA Tournament play with a first-round matchup against No. 13 seed UCF (27-3) on Thursday at 7 p.m. in The Venue at UCF.

Should the Green and Blue win in what will be the program's first appearance in the single-elimination tournament, they would advance to Friday's 7 p.m. second-round match to meet the winner of Thursday's 4:30 p.m. matchup between Florida and Florida State.

Matchup: FGCU (26-6) vs No. 21 UCF (27-3)
What: NCAA Tournament First Round
When: Thursday Nov. 29 | 7 PM | Orlando, Fla. | The Venue at UCF
Links: Video (UCFKnights.tv) | Live Stats | Tickets | Tournament Bracket (printable)
Coaches: Matt Botsford - 5th season at FGCU - 115-44 (.723); same overall | Todd Dagenais - 212-139 (.604); same overall

Matchup Strength
The UCF campus site is the second toughest in the tournament based on total RPI. UCF (10), Florida (18), Florida State (27) and FGCU (47) combines for 102 total RPI points, which ranks just behind the quad of Texas (3), Texas State (22), Rice (30) and SFA (42), which totals a 97.

Furthermore, FGCU's RPI of 47 is six ahead of San Diego, who was the highest RPI at-large team in the field. Thus, had the Eagles not won the ASUN tournament, they could have potentially made the field as an at-large team.

How They Earned The Bid
FGCU knocked off conference rival Kennesaw State in a thrilling five-set ASUN tournament championship match on Nov. 17 to earn an automatic bid. The Owls were the defending champs, although the Eagles had appeared in the title match in the previous two seasons.

UCF Preview
The Knights, who haven't lost a match since Sept. 2 and are 15-0 at home this season, have won 24 straight matches. Their last loss was a four-set decision to then No. 4 Florida on Sept. 2 in the Bubly Invitational. Their other two losses were to Louisville and Miami (Fla.).

It is the first-time UCF earned a national seed. They breezed through the American Athletic Conference slate with an 18-0 record, becoming just the third team in league history to go undefeated. The Knights also defeated then-No. 3 USC in late August and broke into the AVCA Coaches Poll for the first time in program history and finished the regular season with an RPI of 10.

Thursday will be the Knights ninth foray into the NCAA Tournament. UCF last reached the big dance back in 2014 after winning the American Athletic Conference title. In eight previous trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Black and Gold have reached the second round twice, coming in 1997 and in 2003. The Knights reached the AIAW National Championship Tournament in four consecutive seasons between 1977 and 80, winning the 1978 National Championship.
 
Series History
FGCU is 1-5 all-time against UCF, including an 0-2 record this year. The lone victory came in the very first matchup between the two teams on Oct. 21, 2008.
 
Streaking
In addition to UCF's 24-match winning streak, the Eagles will carry a 15-match streak into Thursday's meeting. It is tied for the longest in the program's Division-I history with the 2012 and 2016 teams.
 
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. 740 - Cortney VANLIEW (.233) - 2017-present
8. 725 - Jill HOPPER (.203) - 2011-13
9. 700 - Heather VAN OLST (.212) - 2004-06
10. 693 - Eleonora KAZARIAN (.225) - 2014-15
 
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. 3.47 - Cortney VANLIEW (213 sets) - 2017-present
5. 3.39 - Brooke YOUNGQUIST (346 sets) - 2004-07
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. .405 - Sharonda PICKERING (236-46-469) - 2017-present
2. .403 - Cara ZIEGLER (312-56-636) - 2006-07
3. .363 - Ericka FONSECA (837-184-1,801) - 2005-06
4. .354 - Daniele SERRANO (599-128-1,331) - 2016-present
5. .331 - Olivia MESNER (1,132-353-2,356) - 2011-14
 
Assists
1. 4,467 - Maggie RICK (454 sets) - 2015-present
2. 4,408 - Gigi MEYER (474 sets) - 2011-14
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. 428 - Chelsey LOCKEY (98 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. 9.84 - Maggie RICK (454 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. 4.37 - Chelsey LOCKEY (98 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. 90 - Maggie RICK (454 sets) - 2015-present
9. 88 - Jill HOPPER (246 sets) - 2011-13
10. 84 - Karissa RHOADES (366 sets) - 2015-present

Serve pct. (min. 50 serves)
1. .979 - Snowy BURNAM (333 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
    .960 - Dana AXNER (421 serves) – 2018-present
7. .959 - Adrianne MCNALLY (217 serves) - 2010
8. .957 - Gigi MEYER (1797 serves) - 2011-14
9. .954 - Ericka FONSECA (593 serves) - 2005-06
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. 871 - Karissa RHOADES (366 sets) - 2015-present
10. 765 - Chandra LEFEVER (309 sets) - 2006-07,09
 
Solo Blocks
1. 62 - Olivia MESNER (428 sets) - 2011-14
2. 52 - Daniele SERRANO (327 sets) - 2016-present
3. 51 - Ericka FONSECA (216 sets) - 2005-06
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. 301 - Daniele SERRANO (327 sets) - 2016-present
2. 280 - Olivia MESNER (428 sets) - 2011-14
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. 353 - Daniele SERRANO (327 sets) - 2016-present
2. 342 - Olivia MESNER (428 sets) - 2011-14
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. 128 - Maggie RICK - 2015-present
2. 126 - Gigi MEYER - 2011-14
    126 - Courtney STEPHENS - 2014-17
    126 - Whitney MASTERS - 2011-14
5. 120 - Karissa RHOADES - 2015-present
6. 119 - Caroline JORDAN - 2013-16
7.116 - Whitney HENDRY - 2004-07
8. 114 - Olivia MESNER - 2011-14
9. 113 - Holly YOUNGQUIST - 2008-11   
10. 108 - Brooke YOUNGQUIST - 2004-07

ASUN CAREER RECORD BOOK

Hitting Percentage (min.  .333)
1. Sharonda Pickering (FGCU, 2017-present) - .405
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) - .354
 
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. Maggie Rick (FGCU, 2015-present) – 4,467
6. Sara Metroka (Kennesaw State, 2010-13) – 4,427
7. Gigi Meyer (FGCU, 2011-14) – 4,408
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
 
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 115-44 (.723) 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 all home events 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.