FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University volleyball team defeated James Madison 3-1 on Saturday night as Thais Baziquetto-Allen earned her first win as head coach of the Eagles.
Barbara Koehler recorded a career-high 17 kills to lead the way.
The victory came in the second match of the day for the Eagles (1-1), who earlier dropped their season opener 3-0 to No. 17 Missouri (2-0).
"I'm really proud of the way our team stayed composed and trusted each other tonight," Baziquetto-Allen said. "This first win is a reflection of the work they've been putting in every day in practice, and it's a great foundation for what we're building this season."
Against the Dukes (0-2), Koehler sparked FGCU in the opening set with five kills as the Eagles built a 15-10 lead. James Madison closed within 19-18, but FGCU finished strong to take the set 25-19. The Eagles dominated the second set, racing to a 19-10 lead before closing it out 25-11.
JMU avoided the sweep in the third, pulling ahead 19-13 and holding FGCU to just three more points in a 25-16 win. In the fourth, the teams traded points until 8-8 before the Eagles went on a 10-6 run. JMU closed within 20-18, but FGCU finished the match 25-20 on Koehler's 17th kill, surpassing her previous career high of 16 which she set while playing for Wichita State in 2023.
The Eagles hit .346 compared to the Dukes' .247, while also leading 5-0 in aces and 11-4 in blocks.
Julija Grubisic Cabo added 14 kills at a .344 clip,
Abby Toeniskoetter finished with 10 kills and six blocks, and
Erica Muhizi (seven kills, .400) and Catharina Gaspar (six kills, .600) chipped in. Setter
Hanna Borer tallied 25 assists and two aces.
On defense, FGCU totaled 14 blocks and 62 digs, led by Toeniskoetter with six blocks, Muhizi with four,
Eliska Vytiskova with 13 digs and
Reese Burry with 11.
Earlier in the day, FGCU fell in straight sets to Missouri in its season opener. The Eagles jumped out to an 11-6 lead in the first set behind strong serving and defense, but the Tigers responded with a 13-5 run to take control and went on to win 25-19.
The second set was tied at 4 before Missouri surged ahead 15-8. FGCU rallied with a 7-1 run to pull within 16-15, but the Tigers answered again, pulling away late to win 25-17. In the third, Missouri grabbed an early 15-7 advantage and steadily widened the gap, closing out the match with a 25-15 win.
Koehler led the Eagles with nine kills and eight digs in the opener, while Borer registered 21 assists. Missouri was paced by its balanced attack, hitting efficiently to stay in control after weathering FGCU's early pushes in the first two sets.
FGCU will be in action Sunday morning at 10 a.m. for another match versus JMU.
