FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast University volleyball team secured a 3-1 win Thursday against the University of South Florida to open the FGCU Homewood Suites Inn Fort Myers Classic. This was the Eagles' 10th victory over the Bulls and now lead the series 10-3.
"That was a tight match but our [women] were really dialed in and we do the same thing for every match and thankfully we came out on the positive end," FGCU head coach
Matt Botsford said. "We are now excited to host No. 24 Dayton. They are ranked for a reason so we are excited to test ourselves."
FGCU (8-2) started hot in front of its home crowd in set one, gaining a 10-6 advantage with three kills from senior
Shelby Kent. The Bulls tried answering with a 7-4 run to close the gap to 14-13 but the Green & Blue shut it down quickly with a blistering 9-0 run. Kent delivered two aces and three kills in the rally to easily help the Eagles win the set 25-13.
The Green & Blue jumped out with a 4-0 run in the second set and got to 12-8 before the Bulls pushed out a 9-5 spurt to tie the set 17-17. The Eagles pulled in front to lead 21-19, but South Florida (4-5) gained control and whipped out a 7-3 run to take the set 26-24.
FGCU started the third set with a 12-9 advantage off four kills from Kent. The Bulls rallied though and outscored the Eagles 6-3 to tie the set, 15-15. The Green & Blue responded big time and closed out the set with a 10-5 run to win 25-20.
With the Eagles needing just one more set to win, they gained a 16-13 advantage in the fourth set thanks in part to three kills each from
Ella Chapman and Kent. The Bulls did not back down and had a mini run to tie the set, 18-18. From there, the teams swapped the lead until USF held a 23-22 advantage.
The Eagles then used the home crowd to deliver a 3-0 run to close the match. Kent put home the last two kills to win the set 25-23 and the match 3-1.
"
Shelby Kent was absolutely amazing tonight. That was such a performance by her. Everyone did outstanding but she just continues to grow and to see her take over in some big spots the way that she did, I was just really happy for her," Botsford said.
Kent led all Eagles and had a match-high 20 kills while also registering nine digs, three aces and a new career-high three solo blocks.
Raegan Richardson registered 19 assists. FGCU dominated in aces (9-5) and blocks (9-4).
FGCU next takes on No. 24 Dayton (7-1) at 7 p.m. tomorrow for its final match of the tournament.
