FORT MYERS, Fla. - The FGCU beach volleyball team (3-2) will host the University of Tampa (6-6) on Friday at 3 p.m. at The ROC on campus.
The Eagles, who will be looking to rebound from Wednesday's loss at Eckerd College, are hosting a match on campus for the first time in program history. Typically, home events are held at the Estero Rec Center.
"This is a great opportunity to showcase our team in a brand new environment," FGCU head coach
Matt Botsford said. "Playing on campus is something the girls are really looking forward to and hopefully it will introduce some new fans to our program."
The freshmen duo of
Snowy Burnam (Palm City, Fla./Jensen Beach HS) and
Kayla Whetstone (Arlington, Texas/Arlington Lamar HS) have started the season 4-1, which is the best on the team. The No. 4 pair was one of two duos, along with
Giovanna Borgiotti (Vienna, Va./George C. Marshall HS) and
Ashley Glickert (Chesterfield, Mo./Parkway Central HS), to pick up wins on Wednesday against Eckerd College. Earlier this week, they became the first pair in program history to win ASUN Conference Pair of the Week recognition.
Tampa, meanwhile, is also coming off a 3-2 loss to Eckerd College in the team's most recent match. They have lost four of the past five with the lone win during the stretch coming against Stevenson (3-2) on March 13.
It will be a first-ever meeting for the two programs.
Following Friday, FGCU will travel to Miami next Wednesday to battle No. 13 FIU at 4 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU volleyball program, follow on Twitter at @FGCU_BeachVB, on Facebook at /FGCUVolleyball and on Instagram at @FGCU_VB.
COACH BOTSFORD
Head coach Matt Botsford, who is also the head coach of the FGCU indoor volleyball program, is in his fifth season at the helm of the FGCU beach volleyball program in 2018. In his tenure, the team has compiled a 35-48 record, and he's improved the team's win total each season. In fact, he led the program to 11 wins in 2016 and 15 in 2017 - both of which were new records for most wins in a season. The beach volleyball program is entering just its seventh year at FGCU and has an overall record of 44-61. Prior to his time in Southwest Florida, Botsford held successful stints as an assistant at Notre Dame, Miami, IUPUI, Indianapolis and most recently Colorado State. A former professional volleyball player, he is a 1998 graduate of Tri-State University (now Trine), where he earned a degree in Social Studies Education. He earned a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Indianapolis.
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 make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help.
