FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast University volleyball team suffered a 3-0 season-opening setback Friday against Arizona State University in the FGCU Homewood Suites Invitational.

"There is a lot we need to address moving forward, but that is the benefit of being in matches like this," head coach Matt Botsford said. "ASU played very clean and exposed many issues on our side of the court. Now, we work to improve those things. Shelby Kent was a real bright spot and played very well. She has been patiently waiting for her opportunity and works extremely hard, so I'm happy to see her get the chance to showcase her talents."

The new-look Eagles (0-1) squad introduced five new starters into its first official lineup of the 2023 campaign. The Eagles struggled to gel in the opening set, staring down a 16-6 deficit from the get-go in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. 

Arizona State (1-0) cruised to a 25-14 set-one victory.

Set two was not any kinder to the Eagles as FGCU managed just 10 points in the second.

The Sun Devils secured the sweep of the Green & Blue by winning a 25-19 battle in the third. FGCU fought late to pull to within two, 20-18, hoping to force a fourth, but its final punch would miss would the mark.

The Eagles could not slow Geli Cyr (16) and Marta Levinska (13) as both Sun Devils reached double-figures in kills. ASU hit .493 percent from the field and also kept the Eagles off balance from the service line, notching eight aces.

Junior Shelby Kent led all Eagles in kills with a career-high 10 on the debut of the Teraflex floor. FGCU's lone lead of the match came courtesy of a Kent kill to open the third set 1-0.

Fifth-year Alexandra Zakutney recorded four kills, and graduate student Lily Tessier added 21 assists.

FGCU takes on Ole Miss at 6 p.m. Saturday for its second match of the three-day invitational. 

Ole Miss dropped its opening match of the weekend 3-1 against St. John's.