Matchup: FGCU (23-6, 14-1 ASUN) vs Liberty (14-15, 10-5 ASUN)
Rankings: FGCU is ranked No. 25 in the VolleyballMag.com Mid-Major Poll
When: Nov. 10 | 7 PM ET | Alico Arena
Links: Live Stats | Video (Facebook Live)
Coaches: Matt Botsford - 5th season at FGCU – 112-44 (.718); same overall | Trevor Johnson (1st season at Liberty – 14-15 (.483); same overall)
Promotions: Green Out, Veterans Appreciation (free admission with valid ID and accompanying family members received half off tickets), Senior Day
 
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The VolleyballMag.com Mid-Major No. 25 FGCU volleyball team (23-6, 14-1 ASUN) will look to clinch an outright ASUN championship while honoring its five seniors on Saturday when it hosts Liberty (14-15, 10-5 ASUN) at 7 p.m. in the regular season finale for both teams.

ASUN PICTURE
The Green and Blue have already clinched at least a share of the conference championship. They can clinch it outright with a win over Liberty or a Kennesaw State loss. Furthermore, the top five seeds in the upcoming ASUN tournament have been clinched. FGCU will open as the top seed and receive a bye to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the 4-5 quarterfinal matchup between Liberty and Stetson.

Standings and Schedule
1. FGCU - 23-6, 14-1
2. Kennesaw State - 22-6, 13-2
3. Lipscomb - 16-11, 11-4
4. Liberty - 14-15, 10-5
5. Stetson - 16-12, 8-8
6. North Florida - 9-21, 4-10
7. Jacksonville - 5-22, 3-11
T-8. North Alabama - 4-20, 2-13
T-8. NJIT - 4-27, 2-13

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 12-match winning streak is also tied for the fourth-longest in the Division-I era:

2016 - 15 straight
2012 - 15 straight
2007 - 14 straight
2008 - 12 straight
2018 - 12 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
Maggie Rick fittingly produced a season-high 48 assists along with 10 digs to shatter Gigi Meyer's (4,408, 2011-14) career assist record in Tuesday's win over Stetson. It was her third 40-plus assist match of the season and the 26th of her career. She now has 4,430 overall and becomes the only player in program history with four of the top 10 single season assist totals. Her double-double was the 10th of the season, which doubles her career total entering this year.

Moreover, the senior also surpassed Kennesaw State's Sara Metroka (4,427, 2010-13) for fifth-place on the ASUN's all-time assist list.

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) – 4,430
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

Rick (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) also tied Courtney Stephens (2014-17), Meyer (2011-14) and Whitney Masters (2011-14) for the program's matches played mark with 126. She is slated to break the record on Saturday.

BLOCK PARTY
Daniele Serrano 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. 50 - Daniele Serrano, 2016-present

Career Block Assists
1. 287 - 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. 337 - Daniele Serrano, 2016-present
3. 287 - Ashley Yance, 2005-09

Single Season Block Assists
1. 119 - 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. 136 - Daniele Serrano, 2018
2. 127 - Ericka Fonseca, 2005
3. 120 - Ericka Fonseca, 2006

JUST A FRESHMAN
Dana Axner (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman HS) has recorded 514 digs and 101 assists this year. She's also added 20 aces while averaging 5.14 digs per set. Her dig total already ranks 12th in the program's Division-I era career record book, and she's just 45 digs shy of becoming the era's single season leader. She currently has the third most, trailing Whitney Masters (519, 2014) and Vanessa Benke (558, 2015).

AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Sharonda Pickering currently ranks third in the nation in hitting percentage at .430 this season, while the Green and Blue are also holding opponents to a nation second-best .135 hitting percentage.

A LOOK AT THE FLAMES
Liberty is coming off a straight-set victory over Stetson on Thursday that allowed them to clinch the fourth seed in the ASUN tournament, while head coach Trevor Johnson earned his 100th career collegiate coaching victory. He is now 100-29 overall between Liberty and Concordia (Calif.).

SERIES HISTORY
This is just the second time these two teams have ever met after the Eagles won a five-set thriller in Lynchburg on Oct. 12. Cortney VanLiew had 22 kills, while Maggie Rick had 45 assists and Dana Axner had 18 digs in that match. Rick also had 10 digs for one of her 10 double-doubles this year.
 
ASUN TOP 10 LEADERS (INDIVIDUAL)
Kills – Cortney VanLiew (1st, 409)
Kills/Set – Cortney VanLiew (1st, 4.09)
Hitting Percentage – Sharonda Pickering (1st, .430), Daniele Serrano (3rd, .355)
Assists – Maggie Rick (5th, 745)
Assists/Set – Maggie Rick (6th, 7.45), Chelsey Lockey (10th, 4.33)
Aces – Karissa Rhoades (7th, 28)
Digs – Dana Axner (1st, 514)
Digs/Set – Dana Axner (1st, 5.14)
Solo Blocks – Daniele Serrano (T-4th, 17)
Block Assists – Daniele Serrano (1st, 119), Sharonda Pickering (2nd, 99)
Total Blocks – Daniele Serrano (1st, 136), Sharonda Pickering (3rd, 109)
Blocks/Set – Daniele Serrano (1st, 1.43), Sharonda Pickering (T-3rd, 1.14), Tori Morris (5th, 1.12)
Points – Cortney VanLiew (1st, 451.5)
Points/Set – Cortney VanLiew (2nd, 4.5)

ASUN TOP 10 LEADERS (TEAM)
Kills – 2nd, 1,391
Kills/Set – 1st, 13.91
Hitting Percentage – 1st, .275
Assists – 2nd, 13.06
Assists/Set – 1st, 13.06
Aces – 6th, 118
Aces/Set – 5th, 1.18
Digs – 2nd, 1,640
Digs/Set – 2nd, 16.95
Solo Blocks – 5th, 54
Block Assists – 1st, 458
Total Blocks – 1st, 283
Blocks/Set – 1st, 2.89
Points – 2nd, 17.90
Points/Set – 1st, 17.9

NATIONAL LEADERS (TEAM)
Opponent Hitting Percentage – 2nd, .135
Blocks/Set – 10th, 2.83
Total Blocks – 5th, 283.0
Total Kills - 37th, 13.91
Total Assists - 36th, 13.06
Hitting Percentage – 14th, .275
Assists/Set – 28th, 13.06
Kills/Set – 30th, 13.91
Digs/Set – 62nd, 16.40

NATIONAL LEADERS (INDIVIDUAL)
Kills – Cortney VanLiew (28th, 409)
Kills/Set – Cortney VanLiew (38th, 4.09)
Digs – Dana Axner (30th, 514)
Digs/Set – Dana Axner (33rd, 5.14)
Blocks – Daniele Serrano (13th, 136), Sharonda Pickering (80th, 109)
Blocks/Set – Daniele Serrano (18th, 1.43), Sharonda Pickering (98th, 1.14)
Points – Cortney VanLiew (32nd, 451.5)
Points/Set – Cortney VanLiew (47th, 4.52)
Hitting Percentage – Sharonda Pickering (3rd, .430), Daniele Serrano (58th, .355)
 
FGCU CAREER RECORD BOOK (2004-Present)

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. 717 - Cortney VANLIEW (.238) - 2017-present
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. 3.48 - 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. .404 - Sharonda PICKERING (222-42-445) - 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 (584-123-1,301) - 2016-present
5. .331 - Olivia MESNER (1,132-353-2,356) - 2011-14
 
Assists
1. 4,430 - Maggie RICK (447 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. 395 - Chelsey LOCKEY (91 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. 9.91 - Maggie RICK (447 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. 4.34 - Chelsey LOCKEY (91 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 (447 sets) - 2015-present
10. 84 - Karissa RHOADES (355 sets) - 2015-present

Serve pct. (min. 50 serves)
1. .977 - Snowy BURNAM (310 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
T-7. .957 - Gigi MEYER (1797 serves) - 2011-14
T-7. .957 - Dana AXNER (394 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. 868 - Karissa RHOADES (359 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. 50 - Daniele SERRANO (320 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. 287 - Daniele SERRANO (320 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. 337 - Daniele SERRANO (320 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
    126 - Maggie RICK - 2015-present
5. 119 - Caroline JORDAN - 2013-16
6. 118 - 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) - .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) - .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) – 4,430
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
 
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 112-44 (.718) record overall, including a 56-15 (.789) 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 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.