FORT MYERS, Fla. – For the fifth time in program history, FGCU is the Atlantic Sun Conference Volleyball Champion. The Eagles secured the 2024 tournament title after sweeping Lipscomb inside Alico Arena.
The Eagles jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage in the first set before the Bisons battled back to tie the score at seven apiece off a kill from First Team All-ASUN selection Courtney Jones. Lipscomb pulled ahead 15-13 after Jones' sixth kill of the match which forced a timeout by FGCU. The Eagles responded out of the timeout with two quick points and maintained the momentum to claim the first set 25-21.
FGCU found early success in the second set as well, with a 5-1 lead causing Lipscomb Head Coach Brandon Rosenthal to call a quick timeout. The Bisons called another timeout after the Eagles built a 10-5 advantage following a service ace from ASUN Player of the Year Shelby Kent. An ace from Lipscomb's Kelsey Schenck forced an Eagles timeout but the Bisons still trailed 15-10. The final score in set two ended up being 25-19 in favor of FGCU. Kent had eight kills at that point in the match while Jones had nine of her own.
Another quick start was in the cards for FGCU in the third with a 4-0 start. The Bisons responded to tie things at four after an Eagles' attack error. Lipscomb got its first lead of the set at 11-10 following another attack error by FGCU then Addi Pelham increased that advantage for the Bisons. An ace from Lipscomb's Ninah Miranda led to FGCU Head Coach Matt Botsford taking his final timeout of the set with the score 19-17. The Eagles came out of the break with a quick three points boosted by two kills from Kent. FGCU rode that momentum to a 25-20 set win and the program's fourth tournament title in a row.
FGCU has earned the league's automatic qualifier and represents the ASUN in the 2024 NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship. The Eagles await the selection show on Sunday, Dec. 1, to see who they face in the first round of the national tournament.
All-Tournament Team
Skylar English, FGCU (MVP)
Shelby Kent, FGCU
Shanelle Puetz, FGCU
Courtney Jones, Lipscomb
Meg Mersman, Lipscomb
Caylan Koons, Central Arkansas
Carson Ledford, EKU