FORT MYERS, Fla -
Shelby Kent registered a .778 attacking percentage with 14 kills off 18 swings to help No. 1 seed Florida Gulf Coast University's volleyball team defeat No. 8 seed Queens University of Charlotte 3-0 Thursday and advance to the Atlantic Sun Conference championship semifinals.
The Eagles will now battle No. 4 seed EKU on Friday, as the Colonels advanced after defeating No. 5 seed Jacksonville 3-1.
"That was a great start to the tournament, especially with the defensive focus the team played with." FGCU head coach
Matt Botsford said. "I thought Shanelle and Raegan did a nice job distributing and our hitters were moving the ball around well."
The Eagles (25-4) meant business from set one gaining an easy 19-5 lead, featuring three kills each from ASUN Player of the Year
Shelby Kent and
Destiny Nelson. All-Freshman Team member
Raegan Richardson and
Shanelle Puetz both delivered a pair of aces.
Set two started similar to the first and the Eagles kept applying offensive pressure, reaching a 20-5 advantage. The Royals (9-19) tried responding with five points but it was too late and FGCU closed out the set with a 25-10 victory.
In the final set Queens held on for as long as they could trailing by six points, 18-12 but the Green & Blue wrapped the set up with an impressive 7-0 run featuring two kills each from English and Kent to win 25-12.
FGCU held the Royals to a 0.08 attacking percent in the second set and a 0.078 percent for the match. The Eagles had 46 assists to Queens' 17, dominated in blocks 6-1 and controlled the service line 8-1.
Kent had 13 digs to go with her 14 kills and English registered 12 kills and seven digs. ASUN Third Team member
Ella Chapman had seven kills off 10 swings for a .600 attacking percentage and
Destiny Nelson was perfect for the night going 6-for-6. Puetz had 23 assists and four digs.
FGCU and EKU (21-9) will face off at 8 p.m. Friday for a chance to play in the championship match Saturday.
