Lily Tessier had her second consecutive match with 50 assists, tying her season-high in digs with 16 along the way as Florida Gulf Coast University rallied to defeat Stetson University 3-2 (19-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-15, 15-10) Tuesday night in Atlantic Sun Conference volleyball action from DeLand, Fla.
"I was really impressed by the way Lily competed all the way throughout," said FGCU head coach
Matt Botsford, who saw his team qualify for the 2023 ASUN Championship with the win. "She committed to being great defensively and from the service line. That had a huge impact on the match."
The Eagles (19-5, 11-0 ASUN) dropped the first two sets and found themselves two points away from losing for the first time in conference play all season as the Hatters (11-12, 6-5 ASUN) led 23-22 in set three. FGCU would come storming back, however, as kills from
Courtney Glotzbach and
Skylar English enabled the Eagles to take the frame.
"I think we got away with one tonight, as Stetson really pushed us around throughout a large portion of the match," Coach Botsford said. "Thankfully as the match extended, you could see our defense and serving starting to have an impact."
In the fifth set, the Eagles asserted control by winning six of the final seven points. Glotzbach, who finished the night with 12 kills, added three kills and two total blocks in the finale to help the Eagles fly away. "Courtney also helped turn things around for our group with her blocking and creating some offensive opportunities behind the setter."
Alexandra Zakutney joined Tessier with a double-double by adding a match-high 17 kills and tying for match-high honors in digs with 17. Current ASUN Freshman of the Week
Reese Burry also had 17 digs on the night, including five in the last set.
Skylar English had 16 kills with
Shelby Kent notching 10. In all, nine Eagles combined for the team's 69 kills in the win.
Now winners of 12 matches in a row, the Eagles will try to run the streak to a baker's dozen this Saturday in Florence, Ala., against the University of North Alabama. First serve in the ASUN contest is set for 7 p.m. EDT.
