(Fort Myers, FL) In the first match of the JJ Van Niel era, Sun Devil Volleyball swept Florida Gulf Coast on the road in a dominant fashion, 25-14, 25-10, 25-19, on Friday night in Alico Arenal, hitting a program-record .493 clip.
Notable Stats
Arizona State is 1-0 to start the 2023 season after hitting a blistering .493 to FGCU’s .118, a 2022 NCAA Tournament team. That hitting percentage breaks the ASU record for a single match in the rally scoring era, surpassing the previous high of .476 back in 2021.
JJ Van Niel had his first match as a head coach, winning in a clean sweep. In ASU history, new head coaches are now 7-1 in their first match, including five in a row.
Junior outside hitter Geli Cyr led all players in kills with a career-high 16 in the win. She hit .414 in her first outing of the season.
Another pin hitter in double figures was senior Marta Levinska with 13 on a .571 clip. Dating baack to last season, this was her 13th match in a row reaching double-digit kills. She also had four aces, four digs and four blocks.
Graduate libero Mary Shroll played her first match as a Sun Devil, starting at libero. She led the defense in digs with 10, the most of anyone in the match, and added six assists and two aces.
Returning for her fifth year, graduate setter Shannon Shields paced the offense with 27 assists, collecting four kills and seven digs as well. Her four kills are more than she has had in a match at ASU.
Senior middle blocker Claire Jeter led the charge at the net, notching five blocks to lead all players. She also hit a perfect 7 for 7.
At middle blocker, graduate Maddie McLaughlin made her first start after switching from outside hitter in the offseason. She had one kill and one block.
Another newcomer Estella Zatechka made her Sun Devil debut and started as a defensive specialist. She notched seven digs and one ace.
This was the first meeting in program history between ASU and FGCU.
Quotes
Head Coach JJ Van Niel
“I’m so proud of this team for coming out ready to execute from point one tonight. We were solid in the serve and pass game, which allowed us to run an efficient offense. FGCU really pushed back in set three, and I’m really happy with how the team responded to that increased pressure. Looking forward to competing again tomorrow against a solid St. John’s squad!”
Set One: ASU 25, FGCU 14
The opening set was all Sun Devils. Cyr served the team on a 4-0 run to go up 6-2 early. In her first match at ASU, Zatechka served the squad to a 7-0 run, which saw three kills and a block from Levinska to make it 15-5. Arizona State got to 20-8 off of a big kill from setter Shields, using her lefty swing. Kills from Cyr and Levinska closed it out, winning 25-14. Levinska had seven kills in the first set.
Set Two: ASU 25, FGCU 10
Like the first set, ASU got ahead early in the second, leading 6-2. Three different Sun Devils had kills in a 4-0 run to get that advantage. Another long run, this time with Shroll at the service line, really put the set out of reach from the Eagles. Shroll served the team to six in a row, giving the team a 19-8 lead. Levinska added to her impressive kill tally with another on set point to get the 25-10 win.
Set Three: ASU 25, FGCU 19
Arizona State kept the pedal on the gas, opening the third set with an 8-2 lead after seven in a row with two aces from Levinska. However, FGCU scraped back into it, getting within three at 13-10. The teams traded points for a while with ASU holding the lead, neither able to go on much of a run. A kill from Levinska stopped a potential run from the home team, making it 20-16 for the Sun Devils. The Eagles responded with two in a row, cutting the deficit to two at 20-18 before Cyr got a kill. Cyr stayed hot at the end, sealing the sweep with a kill to win the match.
Up Next
The Sun Devils will continue the FGCU Invitational by facing St. John’s on Saturday at 12 p.m. MST/3 p.m. EDT. There will be no live stream, but fans can follow along with live stats or on social media.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Kimberlie Haner
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