JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University volleyball team defeated Jacksonville 3–1 to clinch a share of the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season title and take the lead in the league standings Friday evening. The Eagles improved to 12-3 in ASUN play, ahead of UCA and EKU, who both sit at 12-4.
Both FGCU and JU have one match remaining, and if the Eagles win, the title will return solely to the Palm City.
Julija Grubisic Cabo recorded her 14th double-double of the season with 16 kills and 10 digs.
Barbara Koehler delivered a match-high 17 kills, along with seven digs and three blocks.
Abby Toeniskoetter added 12 kills, while setter
Hanna Borer ran the offense with 31 assists, six digs, and three kills.
"I am so proud of this group. Tonight is the best that we have played together as one all season," said head coach Thais Baziquetto-Allen. "The execution from every position was precise and exactly what we needed."
The Eagles (18-8, 12-3 ASUN) built an early 18-14 lead in the opening set behind six kills from Koehler. Jacksonville rallied to tie the frame at 25-25, then held FGCU to just one point while scoring three straight to take the set 28-25.
FGCU responded strongly in the second set, pushing ahead 20-12. The Dolphins once again mounted a comeback with an 11-3 run to tie the set at 23-all, but the Green & Blue closed it out 27-25 to even the match.
The Eagles' momentum carried into the third set, where they extended their lead to 22-16 behind five kills from Grubisic-Cabo. FGCU allowed just two more points before firing off three straight to win 25-19 and take a 2-1 lead.
FGCU's offense stayed sharp in the fourth set, building a 22-16 advantage before closing out the match with a 25-19 win.
The Eagles will play their final regular-season match Saturday at UNF (13-15, 7-8 ASUN) at 7 p.m.
