Last season, the volleyball team was 27-6 overall with a 11-3 record in the A-SUN. There they made it to the conference tournament finals before falling to defending champion Lipscomb.
During last season, FGCU had some incredible moments.
1. FGCU had 17 shutout wins, which tied for the most by FGCU in D1 history. Their previous amount of shutouts was 11.
2. FGCU had the longest active win streak in the nation with 15 wins after Nebraska snapped their 28 match winning streak after a loss to conference rival Ohio State.
3. They climbed to an RPI of 58 in 2016, the highest in history for FGCU volleyball.
4. In conference play, FGCU played Lipscomb and beat them for the first time since 2012
The volleyball team is led by Matt Botsford, who is entering his fourth season as head coach.
Botsford is a 1998 graduate from Tri-State University of the NCAA DIII MIAA (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association) conference. There he played as a captain for the volleyball team for 2 years and was the all-time leader in kills, digs, and blocks.
Botsford's coaching career started as an interim coach for Tri-State from 1998-1999 and then bounced around to other universities (IUPUI, Miami, Notre Dame, Colorado State and University of Indianapolis).
His inaugural season as head coach for FGCU's volleyball team started in 2014 when the team went 19-11 before falling to Jacksonville University in the semis. Botsford had a successful season last year, going 21-11 before falling to Kennesaw State in the semifinals.
In 2016, Botsford's third season, his squad produced one of its most successful seasons ever at 27-6, with the win total representing the most in Division I program history and falling two shy of the all-time mark.
The Eagles earned a trip to the A-SUN postseason with an 11-3 conference record and downed Jacksonville and Kennesaw State before being edged out by Lipscomb, 3-1 in the championship match.
When I first met and spoke to coach Botsford, I was little scared to talk to him because He looked very intimidating to even talk to him because of his intensity and physical appearance, but later into the season and after the games, he was pretty cool to speak to and his assistant coaches are awesome too.
This season will be a turn of events for Botsford, as well for his assistant coaches: Kim Maroon and Daniel Mahy
Also, the team always get some big help for the team from Strength & Conditioning Coach Eric Krause.
One of Botsford's two assistant coaches that is a big impact for the volleyball team is Kim Maroon. Maroon, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, enters into her fourth season as assistant coach for Botsford.
Prior to her coaching career, Maroon started her volleyball career as a player at Villanova University as a libero for the team. Maroon still holds a Big East volleyball record of 749 digs in a single season and still holds the NCAA record of 6.87 dig per set. In addition, she was a 2x Big East Libero of the Year, 3x All-Big East selection, including first-team accolades, earned AVCA Division I All-Northeast Region honors two years in a row, becoming the third player in Villanova history to earn that award, and named a member of the AVCA Division I All-America Third Team, the first player in Villanova history to be named an All-American.
After graduating from Villanova, Maroon served as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Volleyball Academy's PVA 18 Blue team as well as the CC Crossfire Volleyball Club and the CC Wave Volleyball Club as head coach. She then became a graduate assistant coach for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, where she coached them to a 13-5 record in conference and a team best 21 wins for a third place finish.
Maroon then came to FGCU as an assistant coach for her first season and it was successful for her. She comes up with many strategy for practices and games and even takes the time to assist with recruiting efforts and travel plans for the team. During practice, she mainly focuses on first contact and defense work with liberos, defensive specialists, and 6-rotation players
In her second season as assistant coach, Maroon helped FGCU to a 21-11 season and a second place finish in the A-SUN.
In her third season, following the 2016 season, Maroon was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) "Thirty Under 30" list. The award, which was created in 2009, honors 30 up-and-coming volleyball coaches each year who are under the age of 30 for their hard work and dedication to the sport of volleyball.
Although I never really spoke to Coach Maroon fully in the beginning, except when she is coming down to the sidelines to change her shoes, she is still a great asset as an assistant coach for the FGCU volleyball team.
Danny Mahy is the 2nd assistant coach for Botsford. The Miami native also breathes volleyball through his veins. Mahy enters his 12th season as assistant coach for FGCU.
Prior to his coaching career, Mahy played volleyball at Miami Sunset High school, where he was a 2x MVP and led his school to the Miami-Dade County Championship.
After graduating, he became an assistant coach for the girls varsity volleyball team and head coach of the boys JV volleyball his first 2 years.
Prior to coming to FGCU, he served as an assistant coach for Miami-Dade Community College of the FCSAA/NJCAA Region 8 Southern Conference. There, as an assistant coach, the Sharks made it back-to-back in the NJCAA National Championship finals (2002: National Champions, 2003:National Runner-Up).
He then started his first year for FGCU in 2004, when they were NCAA DII at the time, guiding them to the regional finals.
After being on the sideline for the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Mahy returned to FGCU in 2008 after two years away from the program. He spent the 2006 and 2007s season as a member former FGCU coach Dave Nichols' staff at Barry University and brings several years of experience with winning programs to FGCU.
When Botsford entered into his first season as head coach, the team went 19-11 with an 11-3 conference record before falling to Jacksonville in the A-SUN semis.
Like Maroon, Mahy has twice been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) "Thirty Under 30" list.
When I first spoke to him, he was pretty cool to talk to and I'll always look forward to watching him coach 100%.
No one could be anymore helpful to make sure the athletes are in good playing condition physically and mentally than Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Eric Krause.
A 2008 graduate from Temple University, Krause received his bachelors degree in Exercise Science.
He started at FGCU in 2010 as an intern and then, a year later, was promoted to strength & conditioning assistant and then associate coordinator.
Krause works directly with men’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s tennis, and swimming & diving, and has helped many NFL talents such as Nate Allen (Philadelphia Eagles) and Jason Pierre-Paul (New York Giants).
So as an athlete, whenever you need some help to get your strength better, you know who to ask.
FGCU lost five players from last year: Leigh Pudwill, Caroline Jordan, Marlene Moeller, Marina Adami and Bailey Johnson.
Pudwill, Jordan, Moeller and Adami have graduated while Johnson transferred to NCAA DII San Francisco State University.
The team consists of one senior, three juniors, one transfer, four sophomores and four freshman.
Two years ago, when I came to FGCU, we had two seniors graduate. Last year, we had four seniors graduate. This year, we have only one lone senior: Courtney Stephens.
The 5-4 libero from Winter Park, Florida may seems like the type of person to be called names like "short" or "funsize" because of her height, but don't be fooled by that because she is a great "digger".
In her freshman year, she started 15 of her matches games and in 108 sets played, she had two kills, 20 assists, 26 aces, 235 digs (2.18 Digs Per Set), and 28.5 points.
When her sophomore year started, she played more. In 32 matches, with one start, Stephens played 120 sets and had one kill, 18 assists, 15 aces, 215 digs (1.79 DPS), and 16 points.
Her junior was really where her time time to shine came. Stephens started nine of her 32 matches and in 115 sets played, she had two kills, 87 assists, 29 aces (tied third most on the team), 388 digs (3.37 DPS) and 31 points. During the past season, Stephens seemingly looked like she was attempting to break coach Maroon's record, but fell short (no pun intended).
When I first met Courtney, she was really nice and sweet. She thought I was sweet and funny when I asked her that she has heard a lot of short jokes. One thing I could've asked her is for someone her height, how can she get a kill? For Courtney, she may be short, but she can play strong and give it all one more time for her senior year.
These four juniors helped pave the way to victory: Kaiti Krivdo (OPP/MB), Karissa Rhodes (OH), Maggie Rick (S) and Amanda Carroll (OH).
The first is Kaiti Krivdo.
The 6'0 Opposite Hitter/Middle Blocker from Hope Mills, North Carolina can show you what it means to bring the A-Game.
In her freshman year, Krivdo appeared in 12 matches, and managed to get two kills, one assist, two digs, three blocks and 3.5 points.
In her sophomore year, Krivdo got more playing time. She had one start in 21 matches with 31 kills, two assists, seven digs, 12 blocks and 37 points.
This year for the junior, I know the "Comeback Kid" will shock the volleyball world.
If you want a player who be a two way position player, then you want to look out for Karissa Rhoades.
The 5-11 libero from Valrico, Florida has more enigma than Jeff Hardy.
In her freshman year, Rhoades, as a outside hitter, started of her 26 matches and had 79 kills, three assists, six aces, 53 digs, 10 blocks and 90.5 points. It really surprised and upset me that she wasn't named on the A-SUN All-Freshman Team because of her hard work.
In her sophomore year, Rhoades had a few transitions for her position. In the beginning, Rhaodes continued playing as an outside hitter, but then switched to libero near the end of the season. Nonetheless, she started five of her 31 matches played with 88 kills, 37 assists, 29 aces (tied third most on the team), 229 digs, nine blocks and 122 points.
For Rhoades, it does not matter where Botsford puts her because she will dominate in any position she will play.
Oh Captain, My Captain, who may this be? That would be Maggie Rick.
The 5-10 setter from Alpharetta, Georgia has more setting ability than Nootsara Tomkom.
In her freshman year, Maggie started all 32 of her matches played and in 120 sets, she had 52 kills, 1,198 assists, including a season high 67 against Georgia Southern, 23 aces (second on the team), 182 digs, 25 blocks and 87.5 points. She did so well that she was named to the A-SUN All-Freshman team and A-SUN All-Conference Second Team.
In her sophomore year, it was her moment to shine. Starting all 33 matches, Rick had 50 kills, 1,260 assists (10.59 assists per set), 30 aces, 210 digs, 37 blocks and 99.5 points. Because of her hard work, Rick was named A-SUN Setter of the Year as well as a member of the A-SUN First Team All-Conference and A-SUN All-Academic team.
With her strong setting ability, Rick will show that you don't mess with the captain.
Last, but never ever least in any way possible is the one I still dub as "Mrs. Aces" and that is Amanda Carroll.
The 5-10 Outside Hitter from Albuquerque, New Mexico certainly knows the ropes being on the team.
In her freshman year, Carroll started 31 of her 32 matches played and in 121 sets, she had 415 kills, 19 assists, team-leading 26 aces (hence her nickname "Mrs. Aces"), 332 digs. 67 blocks and 480.5 points. Because of the stats in kills and digs she posted, Carroll had 14 double-double games of kills and digs. She did so well that she earned A-Sun Player of the Week in the week of October 19th as well as being a three time A-Sun Freshman of the Week.
At the end of the season, Carroll was named A-Sun Freshman of the Year and was named to the A-SUN Second Team and A-SUN All-Freshman Team.
In her sophomore year, it was her time to shine. Starting in all 31 matches she played in, Carroll totaled 485 kills, 24 assists, 39 aces, 293 digs, 49 blocks and 560.5 points. Carroll's 485 kills broke an FGCU record that was held previously by Olympian and FGCU volleyball alumni Brooke Youngquist-Sweat. She did so well that she was named a unanimous First Team All-Conference selection, A-SUN All-Academic Team member and tabbed All-Southeast Region Honorable Mention by the AVCA. Carroll, along with Pudwill, were selected to represent FGCU as a part of the U.S. Collegiate National Team-Indianapolis program.
For Carroll, she will continue her reign as "Mrs. Aces" and give it all she's got.
FGCU was able to pick up the newest transfer to join the team: Sharonda Pickering.
The 6-2 middle blocker from Sea Cow's Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands is here to make an impact.
Prior to FGCU, Pickering played her first two years at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) of the FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII. There, as a freshman, Pickering finished sixth in the nation in blocks per set and helped the team to finish third nationally as a freshman.
As a sophomore, Pickering finished 15th in the nation in blocks per set and recorded the best hitting percentage in the NJCAA in 2016 averaging .474 on the season. She did so well that she was named a member of the FCSAA First-Team All-Conference.
Pickering joins FGCU with two years of eligibility remaining and I know she will bring all the blocking power she can muster for her new team.
Hoping to make big impact are four great sophomores: Giovanna Borgiotti (OH), Danielle Serrano (MB), Morgan Waller (MB) and Ciara Debell (OH)
The first of the returning sophomores is Giovanna "GioGio" Borgiotti.
The 5-10 outside hitter from Vienna, Virginia made a statement in crucial matches.
In her freshman year, Borgiotti started 16 of 28 matches played with 210 kills, nine assists, 17 aces, 143 digs, 37 blocks and 248.5 points.
Because she played a strong role as a starter in the middle of the season, Borgiotti earned A-SUN All-Freshman accolades.
With her wherewithal as a strong role player, Borgiotti shows the volleyball world everything shes got.
Following the footsteps of Moeller in blocking power is Daniele Serrano.
The 6-1 middle blocker from Sanford, Florida bricks blocking power like the Great Wall of China.
In her freshman year, Serrano started all 33 matches and in 117 sets played, she had 154 kills, 11 assists, 39 digs, 107 blocks and 212 points. She did so well that she also joined Borgiotti on A-SUN All-Freshman Team.
With her excellent defending and strong block power, Serrano will block all of her opponents to the dust
Now making her debut for the team is Morgan Waller.
The 6-0 middle blocker from Reno, Nevada comes with a purpose: winning.
Despite not being able to play the whole season due to a knee injury and still maintaining all four years of eligibility, Waller, now listed as a redshirt freshman, will make her debut as an impact of a lifetime.
Last, but never least and making her return to the court is one of my personal favorite players: Ciara "Ci" DeBell.
The 6-2 outside hitter from Ocala, Florida comes back for revenge.
In her freshman year, DeBell was gonna be a breakout star for the team. DeBell started all nine of her matches played with 74 kills, seven aces, 64 digs, nine blocks and 87.5 points before missing the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
Despite the injury, DeBell, listed as a redshirt freshman, was still able to maintain all four years of eligibility, so you can bet your bottom dollar that she will presence known that the shark is back with a statement.
Three true freshman make their presence known that they're ready for the big leagues: Alayna Ryan (OH), Snowy Burnnam (OH/OPP/S) and Cortney VanLiew (OH).
The first of three freshman is Alayna Ryan.
The 5-11 outside hitter from Ft. Myers, Florida makes people aware that she is ready.
Prior to FGCU, Ryan played at Ft. Myers High School under head coach Stephanie Martin. There, Ryan was a four-year letterwinner and two-year team captain. In all four years, she had 776 career kills. As a junior, Ryan was named FACA 6A-18 All-State Player of the Year, News Press Player of the Year and Team MVP after leading the state of Florida (6A) in kills (384) and finishing sixth in digs (330) and as a senior, she currently holds the school record for most kills in a single match (30).
With her local experience, Ryan is surely gonna bring everything to the table.
Part of still is amazed by her name, but she can play tough. Please welcome Snowy Burnam.
At 5-11 and hailing from Palm City, Florida, Burnam is more than just a winter delight (no pun intended).
She plays three positions: outside hitter, right side hitter and setter.
Prior to FGCU, Burnam played and graduated from Jensen Beach High School under head coach Mike Sawelle. There, Burnam was a four-year letterwinner, tabbed the 2016-17 TC Prep Volleyball Player of the Year, earned recognition as 6A Florida Dairy Farmer Player of the Year, a three-time All-Area Team selection, a one-time All-State selection, helped her team to a state championship where she had more than 1,000 kills in all four year. In addition, Burnam competed in the 2016 European Global Challenge where she was named to the All-Tournament Team after winning first place.
For Burnam, she will take the world by storm and make FGCU a winter wonderland (no pun intended... again).
The last of three freshman that is a real powerhouse is Cortney VanLiew.
The 5-11 outside hitter from Seymour, Indiana is not your average Indiana volleyball player.
Prior to FGCU, VanLiew played and graduated from Colombus East High School. There she was a national finalist for the Wendy's High School Heisman Scholarship which honors high school student-athletes for their outstanding achievements athletically, academically and in the community, a two-time Indiana All-State honoree, two-time Republic Player of the Year, one-time Republic Athlete of the Year, two-time Team MVP and a three-time Hoosier Hills All-Conference honoree. In addition, VanLiew was a Pula Global Challenge gold medalist, Jack Cramer Award recipient and led her team to a national title in the Northern Lights National Qualifier.
For VanLiew, she will show FGCU that this Indiana girl means business.
Even though we lost our four top seniors, we still managed to gain new players to make their mark plus we have great returners in players like Carroll, Rick and Rhoades for next season to teach the ropes.
That being said, the new season with teams they never played before or have faced in the past is gonna be an adventure no one can forget.
PC: fgcuathletics.com
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