FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Barbara Koehler recorded her 100th career block as Florida Gulf Coast University volleyball delivered a 3-2 victory over Lipscomb on Friday evening at Alico Arena.
Koehler ended the night with a double-double of 18 kills and 10 digs.
Julija Grubisic Cabo followed with 15 kills and 16 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. Setter
Hanna Borer also recorded a double-double, contributing 27 assists and 11 digs.
"We just wanted to make sure our amazing crowd stayed on their toes tonight," said head coach Thais Baziquetto-Allen. "We came up with some big plays when we needed to against a really good team. I am sure that took some of our alumni in the building back to some great FGCU/Lipscomb battles over the years!"
In the opening set, the Eagles (11-6, 6-1 ASUN) established a steady offensive rhythm, hitting .250 behind Koehler's early kills at the net. FGCU maintained control for most of the frame despite three ties, closing the set 25-22 on a Lipscomb (7-10, 3-4 ASUN) attack error. Grubisic Cabo and
Ava Smith each added key points down the stretch to give the Eagles the early 1-0 lead.
Lipscomb responded in the second set, capitalizing on timely serving runs to even the match. FGCU hit .171 in the frame, with Koehler and Grubisic Cabo combining for eight kills. Despite a late push that brought the Eagles within two at 22-24, the Bisons held on to take the set and tie the match at one apiece.
FGCU surged back in the third with its most efficient offensive showing of the night, posting a .382 hitting percentage. Koehler, Grubisic Cabo and Smith fueled the attack as the Eagles built an early cushion and never looked back. The defense stood tall with multiple blocks from
Abby Toeniskoetter and Koehler, helping FGCU reclaim the lead 2-1.
The Bisons once again rallied in the fourth, using a 6-1 run midway through the set to pull ahead. Despite six ties and several defensive efforts from Toeniskoetter, the Green and Blue struggled with eight attack errors in the frame. Lipscomb closed the set 25-20 to force a decisive fifth.
The Eagles showed composure in the fifth, hitting .333 and jumping ahead 10-6 before Lipscomb responded with a 7-3 run to tie the set 13-13. Koehler's kill put FGCU back in front 14-13, and Grubisic Cabo sealed the match with a decisive swing from the left side.
FGCU outblocked Lipscomb 22-14 and outdug the Bisons 81-70.
The Eagles return to Alico Arena on Sunday to host Austin Peay in another ASUN matchup. First serve is scheduled for 12 noon.
