FGCU’s volleyball team claimed three quick sets against the University of West Georgia Wolves on Sunday, Sept. 29 at Alico Arena. With the win the Eagles remain undefeated in ASUN Conference play.
The Eagles racked up the stats with a program record of 19 aces and made this match its third ASUN Conference sweep of the season.
Set one was a back-and-forth battle between both teams. West Georgia was not producing its points, as the Eagles had not yet found their groove.
With the Wolves leading the set 8-3, the Eagles returned with four aces from freshman setter Raegan Richardson and six kills from graduate student outside hitter Sasha Van Der Merwe. Richardson now holds the FGCU three-set ace record with eight aces and is tied nationally with four other players. The set ended with a score of 25-16, and 12 kills for the green and blue.
Set two started with both teams tied at 5-5. Just as set one, FGCU tightened their offense and West Georgia could not stop it.
Another key factor in set two was the Eagles’ defense. It held West Georgia at a .000 attacking percentage, but when a ball slipped through, sophomore defensive specialist Reese Burry was there.
Burry, FGCU’s libero, was two steps ahead of West Georgia’s defense at all times. She tallied up 12 digs this match and her energy was off the charts.
The Eagles kept that energy offensively with 12 kills in this set. They created an 18-10 lead which led them to win the match 25-12.
Set three started with a 14-7 lead by the Eagles. Senior outside hitter Shelby Kent walked over West Georgia’s defense with a solid five kills in the first 14 points.
Five different players added to the kill stat, totaling up to 16 kills this set. The Eagles ended with a score of 25-11, and a .458 attacking percentage.
The Eagles swept the box score with 19-3 in aces, 40-14 in kills, 37-29 in digs and 62-22 in points.
FGCU heads on the road to play the Jacksonville University Dolphins on Friday, Oct. 4. They return to Alico Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 15 against the Stetson University Hatters.
