FGCU Volleyball: Wildcat Classic Update

For their first road series, the FGCU volleyball team went on to play in the Wildcat Classic hosted by Davidson College in Davidson, N.C.

The Eagles (4-3) had shutout their first opponent in the tournament, Wofford College (5-3), by a score of 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-18). Despite livestream and live stats not working, it did not stop the match at all.

Leading the charge on offense for FGCU was junior outside hitter Amanda Carroll. Carroll had a double-double of 18 kills and 19 digs. She also added four service aces and a block to her stats.

Junior setter Maggie Rick finished with one kill, one ace, three digs and 36 assists.

Freshman outside hitter Cortney VanLiew also had a double-double of 13 kills and 13 digs along with a one block.

Junior libero Karissa Rhaodes had 19 digs as well as one assist and one service ace.

Sophomore middle blocker Daniele Serrano added four kills.

Junior middle blocker Sharonda Pickering had a game high seven blocks to go with her two kills.

"I'm really pleased with this performance and appreciative of the effort these girls gave in light of the circumstances back home," said Botsford as Hurricane Irma's direct track is bearing down on Southwest Florida, and already went through Pickering's native British Virgin Islands.

"This has been challenging for everyone as we balance our commitment to this team with our concern for family and friends who are bracing for the hurricane. Our players have handled things with poise and maturity, and I couldn't be more proud of them.

Off the bench, freshman outside hitter Alayna Ryan had a service ace and one dig, senior defensive specialist Courtney Stephens had one assists and seven digs, freshman outside hitter Snowy Burnam (started in the match) had three kills and junior right side hitter Kaiti Krivdo had two kills and two blocks.

"Amanda was phenomenal this evening, and what a fitting performance for her to reach the 1,000-kill mark," Botsford added. "Collectively I thought we served great tonight, and that really shifted things in our favor. Sharonda also had a big impact at the net and helped to provided some timely blocking."

For the Terriers, junior outside hitter Catie Kronister led the team with 17 kills along with one assist, one ace and nine kills.

Junior libero Taylor Gill had a game-high 27 digs and three assists.

Sophomore Lorissa King had 31 assists, one ace and nine digs.

FGCU outscored Wofford in points (58-41), kills (43-38), aces (7-2), blocks (8-1) and assists (38-36). Wofford outscored FGCU by one dig (63-62).

In the match are some interesting side notes and facts:

1. On the 14th possession in the first set, Carroll reached a milestone by getting her 1,000th kill. Carroll is the third player in program history, second in the Division-I era, to reach 1,000 career kills.
2. This is the first time both teams faced each other.
3. The 3-0 shutout for FGCU is No. 106 for the program.
4. Carroll is currently ranked in the top 15 in the nation in kills per set (5).
5. Rick is currently ranked in the top 15 in the nation in assists per set (12).

Up next: FGCU will play host Davidson College at noon and then face Georgia at 4 pm. This will be the first time Davidson and FGCU play each other and the second time FGCU and Georgia have played each other.

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