Matchup: FGCU (22-6, 13-1 ASUN) vs Stetson (16-10, 8-6 ASUN)
When: Nov. 6 | 6 PM ET | J. Ollie Edmunds Center
Links: Live Stats |
Video
Coaches: Matt Botsford - 5th season at FGCU – 111-44 (.716); same overall | Yang Deng (2nd season at Stetson – 19-33 (.365); same overall)
DELAND, Fla. - The FGCU volleyball team (22-6, 13-1 ASUN) will look to clinch at least a share of the program's fourth regular season conference championship and first since 2012 during a Tuesday road tilt at Stetson. A victory would also clinch the top seed in the ASUN tournament, which will be held Nov. 16-17 in Kennesaw, Ga.
ASUN TITLE CHASE
The Green and Blue are coming off a pair of wins over Lipscomb and Kennesaw State this past weekend that elevated the team into sole possession of the top spot in the ASUN standings with two matches left. Should they win both matches this week, including Saturday's regular season home finale against Liberty, they would win the title outright.
ASUN Standings and Schedule
1. FGCU - 22-6, 13-1
2. Kennesaw State - 21-6, 12-2
3. Lipscomb - 16-10, 11-3
4. Liberty - 13-15, 9-5
5. Stetson - 16-10, 8-6
6. North Florida - 9-21, 4-10
7. Jacksonville - 5-22, 3-11
8. NJIT - 4-26, 2-12
9. North Alabama - 3-20, 1-13
Tuesday
FGCU vs Stetson, 6 PM
Lipscomb vs Kennesaw State, 7 PM
NJIT vs North Alabama, 8 PM
Thursday
Liberty vs Stetson, 6 PM
Friday
North Alabama vs North Florida, 6 PM
Lipscomb vs Jacksonville, 7 PM
Saturday
Kennesaw State vs Jacksonville, 6 PM
NJIT vs North Florida, 6 PM
Liberty vs FGCU, 7 PM
FGCU's current 11-match winning streak is also the fifth-longest in the Division-I era:
2016 - 15 straight
2012 - 15 straight
2007 - 14 straight
2008 - 12 straight
2018 - 11 straight
HISTORIC SWEEP
The trio of
Cortney VanLiew (player),
Daniele Serrano (defensive) and
Dana Axner (freshman) swept the ASUN's weekly awards on Monday. It was the first time in program history that the Green and Blue swept all three awards outright. The only other week the program had three players win it was Oct. 19, 2015 when
Amanda Carroll was named the co-player of the week and top freshman, while Vanessa Benke won defensive player of the week.
DISHING IT OUT
With 58 more assists this past weekend,
Maggie Rick is 27 assists shy of surpassing Gigi Meyer (4,408, 2011-14) for the most in program history. Doing so would also move her past Meyer and into sixth place on the ASUN's career list. In fact, she needs 46 more to move into the top five.
ASUN Top 10 Career Assists
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) – 4,382
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
BLOCK PARTY
Serrano (Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS) is looking to cement herself as the best blocker in program history, and she's not even through her junior year. The middle blocker has already broken several records and is chasing more:
Career Solo Blocks
1. 62 - Olivia Mesner, 2011-14
2. 51 - Ericka Fonseca, 2005-06
3. 49 - Daniele Serrano, 2016-present
Career Block Assists
1. 284 - Daniele Serrano, 2016-present
2. 280 - Olivia Mesner, 2011-14
3. 242 - Ashley Yance, 2005-09
Career Total Blocks
1. 342 - Olivia Mesner, 2011-14
2. 333 - Daniele Serrano, 2016-present
3. 287 - Ashley Yance, 2005-09
Single Season Block Assists
1. 116 - Daniele Serrano, 2018
2. 101 - Olivia Mesner, 2012
T-3. 99 - Sharonda Pickering, 2018
T-3. 99 - Ericka Fonseca, 2005
5. 98 - Daniele Serrano, 2016
Single Season Total Blocks
1. 132 - Daniele Serrano, 2018
2. 127 - Ericka Fonseca, 2005
3. 120 - Ericka Fonseca, 2006
NATION'S BEST
Sharonda Pickering leads the nation in hitting percentage at .438 this season, while the Green and Blue are also holding opponents to a nation-best .130 hitting percentage.
A LOOK AT THE HATTERS
Stetson will enter Tuesday's match having won four straight, including a straight-set victory over Kennesaw State on Oct. 27. During that run, they've lost only one set.
Eva Deisa (245) and Hao Jin (214) lead the offensive attack, while Naina Ivanova has 563 assists. Defensively, Chelcie Spence has 446 digs, while the duo of Jin (97.0) and Brianna Schmid (95.0) lead in blocks.
SERIES HISTORY
FGCU is 20-2 all-time against Stetson dating back to the first matchup in the series on Sept. 29, 2007. The Green and Blue defeated the Hatters 25-15, 29-27, 25-21 in Alico Arena on Oct. 10 and has won 10 straight overall in the series, including five straight in three sets.
ASUN TOP 10 LEADERS (INDIVIDUAL)
Kills –
Cortney VanLiew (1st, 390)
Kills/Set –
Cortney VanLiew (2nd, 4.06)
Hitting Percentage –
Sharonda Pickering (1st, .438),
Daniele Serrano (3rd, .348)
Assists –
Maggie Rick (5th, 697),
Chelsey Lockey (10th, 379)
Assists/Set –
Maggie Rick (6th, 7.26),
Chelsey Lockey (10th, 4.36)
Aces –
Karissa Rhoades (T-6th, 28)
Digs –
Dana Axner (1st, 487)
Digs/Set –
Dana Axner (1st, 5.07)
Solo Blocks –
Daniele Serrano (T-7th, 16)
Block Assists –
Daniele Serrano (1st, 101),
Sharonda Pickering (2nd, 99)
Total Blocks –
Daniele Serrano (1st, 132),
Sharonda Pickering (T-2nd, 108)
Blocks/Set –
Daniele Serrano (1st, 1.45),
Tori Morris (3rd, 1.20),
Sharonda Pickering (4th, 1.17)
Points –
Cortney VanLiew (2nd, 430.0)
Points/Set –
Cortney VanLiew (2nd, 4.5)
ASUN TOP 10 LEADERS (TEAM)
Kills – 4th, 1,321
Kills/Set – 3rd, 13.76
Hitting Percentage – 1st, .272
Assists – 4th, 1,239
Assists/Set – 3rd, 12.91
Aces – 6th, 116
Aces/Set – 5th, 1.21
Digs – 2nd, 1,568
Digs/Set – 2nd, 16.33
Solo Blocks – 5th, 51
Block Assists – 1st, 452
Total Blocks – 1st, 277
Blocks/Set – 1st, 2.89
Points – 3rd, 1714.0
Points/Set – 1st, 17.9
NATIONAL LEADERS (TEAM)
Opponent Hitting Percentage – 1st, .130
Blocks/Set – 6th, 2.89
Total Blocks – 6th, 277.0
Total Kills - 68th, 1,321
Total Assists - 66th, 1,239
Hitting Percentage – 14th, .272
Assists/Set – 39th, 12.91
Kills/Set – 43rd, 13.76
Digs/Set – 69th, 16.33
NATIONAL LEADERS (INDIVIDUAL)
Kills –
Cortney VanLiew (37th, 390)
Kills/Set –
Cortney VanLiew (43rd, 4.06)
Digs –
Dana Axner (43rd, 487)
Digs/Set –
Dana Axner (40th, 5.07)
Blocks –
Daniele Serrano (15th, 132),
Sharonda Pickering (73rd, 108)
Blocks/Set –
Daniele Serrano (15th, 1.45),
Sharonda Pickering (82nd, 1.17)
Points –
Cortney VanLiew (45th, 430.0)
Points/Set –
Cortney VanLiew (49th, 4.48)
Hitting Percentage –
Sharonda Pickering (1st, .438),
Daniele Serrano (75th, .348)
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. 698 - Cortney VANLIEW (.237) - 2017-present
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. 3.46 - Cortney VANLIEW (202 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. .410 - Sharonda PICKERING (213-40-422) - 2017-present
2. .403 - Cara ZIEGLER (312-56-636) - 2006-07
3. .363 - Ericka FONSECA (837-184-1,801) - 2005-06
4. .352 - Daniele SERRANO (568-119-1,275) - 2016-present
5. .331 - Olivia MESNER (1,132-353-2,356) - 2011-14
Assists
1. 4,408 - Gigi MEYER (474 sets) - 2011-14
2. 4,382 - Maggie RICK (443 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. 380 - Chelsey LOCKEY (87 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. 9.89 - Maggie RICK (443 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 (87 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. 87 - Maggie RICK (443 sets) - 2015-present
10. 84 - Karissa RHOADES (355 sets) - 2015-present
Serve pct. (min. 50 serves)
1. .976 - Snowy BURNAM (294 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 .955 - Dana AXNER (375 serves) – 2018-present
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. 866 - Karissa RHOADES (355 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. 49 - Daniele SERRANO (316 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. 284 - Daniele SERRANO (316 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. 342 - Olivia MESNER (428 sets) - 2011-14
2. 333 - Daniele SERRANO (316 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. 125 - Maggie RICK - 2015-present
5. 119 - Caroline JORDAN - 2013-16
6. 117 - Karissa RHOADES - 2015-present
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) - .410
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) - .352
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) – 4,382
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
Nov. 5 - Player of the Week -
Cortney VanLiew; Defensive Player of the Week -
Daniele Serrano; Freshman of the Week -
Dana Axner
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 111-44 (.716) record overall, including a 55-15 (.786) 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.
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.
VETERANS APPRECIATION
Veterans Appreciation is all weekend in Alico Arena, including the men's basketball home opener against Southeastern on Thursday, volleyball senior night on Saturday against Liberty and the women's basketball home opener on Monday against Florida Memorial. Veterans will receive free admission with valid ID and accompanying family members receive tickets for half price. As part of the celebration on Thursday and Monday, service pictures of our fans will be shared on Eagle Vision and service hymns will be played during media timeouts as we honor veterans with a certificate of appreciation from FGCU Athletics as well as a free barbeque sandwich from Mission BBQ.
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.