FORT MYERS, Fla. –
Destiny Nelson delivered a new career-high of 11 kills off 22 swings with a .409 attacking percentage to help No. 1 seed Florida Gulf Coast University's volleyball defeat No. 4 Eastern Kentucky 3-1 Friday and advance to the Atlantic Sun Conference championship final.
This will be the 10th time in program history the Eagles will play in the tournament final. They previously won the title in 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Lipscomb (19-10) advanced after defeating No. 3 seed University of Central Arkansas (17-12) 3-0 earlier in the day
"Very proud of this team for their ability to fight and compete against a very good EKU group." FGCU head coach
Matt Botsford said. "I thought Ba and Destiny were outstanding and brought such great energy out on the court, which helped us through some tough moments. Everyone found ways to contribute tonight and we will need that kind of effort heading into the championship match."
The Eagles (26-4) started steady and gradually pulled away from the Colonels, leading 20-16 after five kills from ASUN Player of the Year
Shelby Kent. The Green & Blue then outscored EKU 5-3 featuring a pair of kills each from
Ella Chapman and
Skylar English to win 25-19.
The roles were reversed in set two and EKU took control with a 20-14 advantage. The Eagles tried responding but ran out of time and the Colonels got to 25 first while holding the Green & Blue to 18.
In set three FGCU jumped out to a 14-8 lead but EKU was better prepared this set and responded with a 14-7 run to take the advantage by one 22-21.
The Green & Blue did not back down from the challenge and stifled EKU's offense down the stretch. FGCU scored four of the last five points to earn a 25-23 victory in the frame.
The final set was electrifying and competitive. FGCU was up 11-10 before a 10-6 surge that featured two kills and a pair of aces by English to pull away and lead 21-16. With the championship match in sight, the Eagles crippled the Colonels offense and went on a 4-0 run to close out the set and win 25-16.
English had a double-double with 16 kills and 15 digs as well as four aces for the night. Kent registered 15 kills and 13 digs.
Barbara Koehler had 12 kills off 21 swings for a .524 attacking percentage. Chapman went 7-for-12 and
Shanelle Puetz had 26 assists and 12 digs.
FGCU and Lipscomb will face off at 7 p.m. Saturday for a chance to take home the ASUN title.
