FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University Volleyball team delivered a 3-1 victory against Bellarmine University Sunday on Senior Day. FGCU Athletics honored seniors
Hanna Borer,
Barbara Koehler,
Alona Clinansmith and
Iyanna Battle prior to the match.
The Eagles improved to 10-3 in the Atlantic Sun Conference and now sit second behind Eastern Kentucky University and Jacksonville University, both at 11-3. All three teams, including Central Arkansas University and Lipscomb University have clinched spots in the 2025 ASUN Championship.
"We made some adjustments defensively after the first set and the girls did a much better job on the block and the back line to slow them down. I also felt like we picked up our service pressure and kept them out of system which made a big difference," said head coach, Thais Baziquetto-Allen.
"I am happy we could get the seniors a win on Senior Day, their leadership and belief in this program, though the transition this year has been vitally important in our success this season."
The Eagles were led by
Julija Grubisic Cabo's 17 kills, and both
Ava Smith and
Abby Toeniskoetter added 10 kills apiece. Senior
Hanna Borer recorded a double-double with 24 assists and 10 digs.
In the first set, the Knights (11-15, 5-9 ASUN) built a 19-16 lead and didn't look back, out-scoring the Eagles 6-2 to take the set 25-18.
FGCU reversed course in the second set, jumping out to a 19-13 advantage and finishing with a 6-4 run to claim it 25-19.
In the third set, the Eagles again led 19-16 before pulling away to win 25-18 and move ahead 2-1.
In the final set, the Eagles grabbed a 10-7 lead, then the Knights responded with 13 points to the Eagles' 10 to surge ahead 21-20. The Green & Blue locked in with the home crowd behind them and closed out the match with five unanswered points — three coming from Smith.
The Eagles will now hit the road for three straight matches, starting at Stetson University (9-16, 5-8 ASUN) on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
