FORT MYERS, Fla. - An historic season for Florida Gulf Coast University's Shelby Kent has been capped by one of the highest honors that she can receive as the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) named her an Honorable Mention All-America. The announcement was made by the organization Wednesday morning.

"Seeing Shelby's career capped off with All-America recognition is a proud moment for FGCU Volleyball," said FGCU head coach Matt Botsford. "Watching her path, understanding all she went through to get to this point and knowing how hard she worked to get there makes this even more special as a coach."

This marks the fourth time under Coach Botsford's tenure that a member of the Green & Blue has achieved All-America status from the AVCA. Kent joins Lily Felts (2022), Erin Shomaker (2020) and Cortney VanLiew (2018) as an Honorable Mention honoree.

Kent had perhaps the biggest offensive season in FGCU history, becoming the first player since the program began to surpass 500 kills in a season. She closed the 2024 campaign with 507 kills, ranking her 22nd in the country. She shattered the points record at FGCU, compiling 572 for the season to rank 26th in the country entering the final weekend of the season. The Port St. Lucie native tallied 10 or more kills in 30 out of 32 matches for the Eagles. She graduated from FGCU over the weekend with a degree in accounting and was also an Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic Team member.

The honor is yet another in a litany of accolades Kent received this season. The ASUN Player of the Year, Kent won the league's Player of the Week award four times in 2024 and added First Team All-ASUN recognition as well. The senior was also a member of the ASUN All-Tournament Team after the Eagles won their fourth-straight conference tournament crown. Prior to receiving AVCA Honorable Mention All-America status, the organization also named her First Team All-Southeast Region.

Kent and the Eagles finished the season with a 27-5 record, the sixth-consecutive season (excluding the Spring 2021 COVID season) that the Eagles have won 25 or more matches.