FORT MYERS, Fla. -
Alexandra Zakutney reached 1,500 career kills and
Reese Burry had 17 digs as Florida Gulf Coast University defeated the University of Central Arkansas 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 26-24) in Atlantic Sun Conference volleyball action Saturday night at Alico Arena.
"Reese was outstanding defensively tonight, and that allowed us to get into our transition game pretty early," said FGCU head coach
Matt Botsford. "This was a great weekend of volleyball for this team and I am pleased with the way they competed."
In both the first and the third sets, the Eagles (13-5, 6-0 ASUN) were pushed to the brink. Both times, the Eagles responded to take the set. In the first set, the score was tied at 22-all until a
Juliana Lentz kill broke the deadlock. An attack error would give FGCU set point, but the Sugar Bears (6-12, 0-6 ASUN) fought off the first attempt at the win.
Shelby Kent would enable the Eagles to take advantage of the second try, knocking home the kill that gave FGCU the opening set 25-23.
In the third set, the Eagles had three match points, but UCA rallied back to tie the set.
Skylar English gave the Eagles their fourth try at match point with a kill to make it 25-24. After an attack error by the guests, the Eagles could celebrate their second consecutive ASUN sweep of the weekend.
"I loved the fire at the end of sets tonight, and we have had back-to-back matches with getting great performances from players off the bench," Botsford said.
Zakutney had seven kills in the first set alone en route to a match-high 13. Her first kill of the third set pushed her to the 1,500 plateau for her five-year career. She will enter next weekend's matches needing 16 digs to reach 1,000 for her career in the defensive category.
Lentz was second on FGCU's kill tote board with seven. The middle blocker also added a block solo and four block assists for five total blocks. "Juliana is a phenomenal middle and what she did on both sides of the ball tonight had a huge impact," Botsford stated.
After the match, to culminate Alumni Weekend for the FGCU volleyball program, a tribute video was shown to the fans in Alico Arena celebrating Botsford's 10 seasons at the helm of the Eagles. The video, a surprise to the FGCU head coach, was arranged by his wife and included well wishes from many FGCU alumni, in addition to Botsford's family.
"Beyond the matches, this weekend was very special because we got to celebrate the players who helped to build this amazing program," Botsford said. "Seeing our former players back in Alico is always very special to me and I am so grateful for their involvement in continuing to support FGCU volleyball."
The Eagles will return to Alico Arena next weekend for two ASUN matches. First, FGCU faces Austin Peay State University at 7 p.m. Friday. Then the next night, the Eagles will take on Lipscomb University. Both FGCU and Lipscomb are currently undefeated in ASUN action.
