FORT MYERS, Fla. – In a full day of quarterfinal action on Thursday in the 2023 Atlantic Sun Conference Volleyball Championship, three of the four matches' higher seeds advanced with #1 FGCU, #2 Lipscomb and #4 Kennesaw State moving on. Sixth-seed North Florida earned the only upset on the opening day of postseason play.
#6 North Florida 3, #3 EKU 1
North Florida is set to return to the ASUN Championship Semifinals for the second time in three years after defeating EKU in a four-set tournament opener. The Ospreys battled back from a four-point deficit to take the first set before taking the second frame by a 25-18 score. The third-seeded Colonels claimed the third set but were unable to complete the comeback inside Alico Arena. Kailey McKnight and Mahalia White tallied 20 kills apiece for UNF with McKnight also recording 14 digs for a double-double. The Ospreys' only other appearance in the postseason semifinals came in 2021 which is also the last time the tournament was held in Fort Myers.
#2 Lipscomb 3, #7 Stetson 2
Lipscomb and Stetson battled in the lone five-set match in the opening round of the conference tournament this year. This was also the first postseason meeting for the two programs since the 2019 Championship. The Bisons outlasted their opposition and are headed to the semifinals for the 18th time. After losing the first set, 25-23, the Bisons rallied to take the next two by scores of 25-20 and 25-23. Anabelle Standish recorded four kills in the fourth set for Stetson including the final point to send the contest to a fifth set. ASUN Player of the Year Meg Mersman finished the match with 23 kills while Setter of the Year Sophia Hudepohl posted 68 assists. Lipscomb improved to 2-0 in postseason matchups with Stetson and 27-11 overall in the ASUN Championship.
#4 Kennesaw State 3, #5 North Alabama 1
The first postseason matchup between Kennesaw State and North Alabama saw the Owls improve to 10-0 all-time against the Lions and advance in the tournament. KSU is prepared to compete in the semifinals for the ninth season in a row in hopes of capturing the program's third league title. In Thursday's quarterfinal contest, Manu Johnsen and Emma Schurfranz both came close to double-double performances. Johnsen, who was selected to the First Team All-ASUN, notched 15 kills and eight digs. Second Team honoree Schurfranz added 14 kills and nine digs. Three Owls hit .500 or better in the four-set victory for the tournament's #4 seed: Olivia Burrage (.563), Kourtney Brown (.500) and Schurfranz (.500).
#1 FGCU 3, #8 Bellarmine 0
The top-seeded FGCU Eagles were in control for the majority of their quarterfinal matchup with Bellarmine. The ASUN Regular Season Champion swept the Knights with set scores of 25-17, 25-18, and 25-17. This was the 12th sweep of the season for the Eagles and its fourth consecutive straight-set victory against BU. All-ASUN First Team selection Juliana Lentz led the match with 10 kills and had a .909 hitting percentage. As a team, the Eagles outhit the Knights .330 to .147 and tallied six service aces. FGCU's quest for its fourth league title continues on Friday when the program competes in the tournament semifinals for the 13th season in a row.
The 2023 ASUN Championship continues on Friday, Nov. 17, inside Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla. This is the sixth time that FGCU has hosted the event. Semifinal action gets started at 4 PM ET when the Bisons battle the Ospreys. At 7 PM ET, the host Eagles face off against the Owls. The ASUN Championship Final takes place on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 7 PM ET. All of the tournament matchups are streamed live on ESPN+.
Follow @ASUNVB for updates during the postseason.
2023 ASUN Volleyball Championship
Thursday, Nov. 16 - Quarterfinals
#6 North Florida 3, #3 EKU 1
#2 Lipscomb 3, #7 Stetson 2
#4 Kennesaw State 3, #5 North Alabama 1
#1 FGCU 3, #8 Bellarmine 0
Friday, Nov. 17 - Semifinals
#2 Lipscomb vs. #6 North Florida - 4 PM ET
#1 FGCU vs. #4 Kennesaw State - 7 PM ET
Saturday, Nov. 18 - Final
TBD vs. TBD - 7 PM ET