FORT MYERS, Fla. - Thais Baziquetto-Allen still remembers walking into a locker room a year ago full of new faces. Nearly a full roster turnover, a first season at the helm, and a program with a tradition to uphold. What came out of it was an ASUN regular season championship.

"A big important part of last year was just bringing the team together," she said on the latest episode of Eagle Insight with host Lucas Nicholson. "We had so many people coming in that were new to the program. It was about keeping the tradition of FGCU volleyball, the tradition that come before me, the success, and making sure that we're very successful in the ASUN."

Now entering her second season with the Eagles, Baziquetto-Allen isn't rebuilding an identity, she's sharpening one, with a deeper and more experienced roster than the one that hung a banner in her debut campaign.

The accolades have followed her. This past year, Baziquetto-Allen was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame, a nod to the program she built at Florida SouthWestern State College. From 2022-24, she won three consecutive national championships and was named NJCAA Coach of the Year all three seasons, going a combined 84-3, winning as many national titles as losses over the stretch. Several of the players who won there with her have since followed her to the Eagles.

"NJCAA gave me so much. That place gave me the opportunity to build a program, to be successful, and to impact so many players, some of whom are now with me here at FGCU," she said. "I'm just grateful for that opportunity."

That impact shows up most clearly in the difference between year one and year two. Last season required the Eagles learn each other on the fly, this year's group returns largely intact, and Baziquetto-Allen said that continuity has changed the pace of preseason work entirely.

"The big difference between this year and last year is we were able to retain a lot of players, so there is a lot more experience, not just from the coaching staff but the players," she said. "They do a really good job of taking feedback in a growth mindset. We have progressed so much in the short time that we're doing this, and they understand that we have so much more to do, but they're embracing that challenge."

Leading that returning core is a group of three senior captains who helped deliver last year's ASUN regular season title. Outside hitter Julija Grubisic Cabo returns off an All-ASUN First Team and CSC Academic All-District campaign, having piled up 359 kills, 292 digs and 26 aces across all 28 matches a year ago, with a season-high 21-kill, .486-hitting performance against North Florida among her highlights. She's joined in the leadership group by libero Anna Marzella (195 digs, 69 assists in 2025) and setter Eliska Vytiskova (545 assists, 4.74 per set).

Behind that leadership core, the Eagles bring back senior middle blocker Abby Toeniskoetter, who hit .364 with 172 kills a year ago and turned in a career night of 21 kills and 25 points at Stetson on Nov. 12. Sophomore middle blocker Erica Muhizi also returns after an ASUN All-Freshman Team season in which she totaled 127 kills on a .320 clip and 108 total blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Katie Gielas, junior outside hitter Camila Soto and junior opposite Catharina Scorza round out the returning group.

FGCU's newcomer class adds further depth. Freshman outside hitter Ava Theiller is a First Team All-Conference and All-State honoree who closed her prep career at Bayard Rustin High School with 529 kills. She's joined by freshman opposite Maju Hildebrand, a Brazilian national team member and two-time Best Opposite of All Brazilian Clubs, along with freshman middle blocker Amany Kuwa. Sophomore outside hitter Shay Heaney arrives after a freshman season at Grand Canyon University, while sophomore libero Devynn Schulze joins the program after a season at Illinois State. Senior setter Dinara Sabitova, a European U19 champion with the Russian National Team, transfers in from Florida SouthWestern to round out the newcomers.

With the 2026 schedule now set, Baziquetto-Allen said the Eagles won't take a single conference match lightly given how tight the ASUN race figures to be. But the nonconference slate offers a chance to measure the group against high-major competition, both at home and on the road.

"I think that our nonconference and conference matches are all just really important," she said. "Our conference is so small that every game is going to matter this year, but we also have such a good nonconference schedule. We're able to bring really good programs into Alico Arena, so our fans will get the chance to see teams like FSU, BYU, West Virginia on our home court. And then we get to go to some really good tournaments and play teams like Missouri, Wichita State, Arkansas State, and obviously Nebraska."

Of that group, the trip to Lincoln stands out most to the second-year head coach.

"I think that's the biggest name on our schedule," Baziquetto-Allen said. "We're fortunate to go out there and get that experience. Not just the game itself, and obviously playing some high-level volleyball, but also the atmosphere in Nebraska, with the Cornhuskers and everything. I think that's going to be a great experience for our athletes, just to get a feel for what the first and second round of the NCAA Tournament is going to look like."

Last year's regular season title also means postseason volleyball returns to Alico Arena, where FGCU's home-court advantage was on full display all season.

"Alico Arena is a great place to start the season. We have the TerraFlex floor, which creates such a great atmosphere to play volleyball," she said. "Our fans are amazing. Last year we had so much support, big crowds, and our marketing events helped get the community to buy in to what we are building. The autograph nights were amazing, too. We spent almost two hours postgame signing autographs and interacting with the fans, and our players loved that. Bringing that energy into the postseason is going to be very fun."

FGCU opens the 2026 season Friday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. ET against VCU at Alico Arena as part of the FGCU Invitational.

SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the FGCU 2026 volleyball campaign are now on sale, and you can take advantage of 12 home Eagles matches, including two tournaments featuring some of the nation's best teams, with plans starting at only $60.By securing your season tickets now, you can save over 50% compared to purchasing single-game tickets for FGCU volleyball.

MINI PLANS
Not sure about a full season? Take advantage of one of our Mini Plans! Now you can Pick 2, Pick 3 or Pick 5! For just $20, you can get a ticket to any two volleyball matches. Add another game to that tally as the Pick 3 mini plan is only $25. Or spend $35 and pick any five home games from the FGCU men's soccer, women's soccer and/or volleyball schedules.

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