FGCU Volleyball: FGCU vs. Bethune Cookman Preview

After being on road for two straight tournaments, the FGCU volleyball team, still on the road returns to the states to face Bethune-Cookman before beginning conference play.

Last Time Out:
The Eagles (7-5) recently competed in the Hoosier Classic hosted by Indiana University. The shutout Samford 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-20) and UNLV 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-14), but would fall to host Indiana 2-3 (25-15, 23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 10-15).

Originally, The Eagles were scheduled to play FIU, but was postponed due to Hurricane Irma. No makeup date has been announced for that match. Previously, the Eagles played the Panthers at the Alico Arena in the Hilton Garden Inn Invitational for their season opener. The Eagles would sweep the Panther 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-23).

At the end of the Hoosier Classic, FGCU went 2-1 in the tournament and ended in a three way tie with Indiana and Samford, who also went 2-1 in the tournament.

Juniors Amanda Carroll, Karissa Rhoades and Maggie Rick were all named to the Hoosier Classic All-Tournament Team, and the duo of Carroll and freshman Cortney VanLiew also made a big difference.

Currently, Carroll has 192 kills and recently reached the 1,000 kill mark during her performance against Wofford in the Davidson. Carroll, who was named A-SUN Player of the Week, ranks 40 in the nation in kills and 18 in the nation in kills per set (4.57).

VanLiew, who was recently named A-SUN Freshman of the Week for her performance in the Indiana Classic. VanLiew is second in kills (143).

Hoping to defend her title as the A-SUN Setter of the Year, Rick is ranked 50th in the nation in assists (470) and 24th in the nation in assists per set (11.19).

Since transitioning from D2 to D1 in 2007, the Eagles have won via shutout 107 times.

Scouting Bethune:
Previously, the Wildcats (2-4) were suppose to compete in the USF Invitational, but was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma. They recently competed in the Bash at the Boro hosted by Georgia Southern.

The Wildcats would beat Charlotte 3-2 (21-25, 27-25, 25-23, 20-25, 15-12) and host Georgia Southern 3-1 (25-18, 25-16, 23-25, 25-21), but would fall to UNF 1-3 (19-25, 25-18, 20-25, 19-25).

Jordan Jefferson leads the team in kills (85) and in six straight matches, the freshman outside hitter produced six straight double-doubles.

Meraiah Hill and Rakaya Neely, who was named Bash at the Boro All-Tournament MVP, have combined a total 45 blocks.

Series History:
Overall, FGCU is 10-0 in the series against Bethune. The last time both teams met was in 2016, where the Eagles shut out the Wildcats 3-0 at Bethune and then won again at FGCU by a score of 3-1.

For this year, it will be the 11th and 12th time both the Eagles and the Panthers will face each other.

They will play on Friday September 22nd at 6 pm at Bethune and on Tuesday October 17th at 6 pm at FGCU.