NCAA Womens Volleyball

JJ Van Niel, Volleyball Get First Win in First Match at FGCU

St. John's

FORT MYERS, Fla. – 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 three 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.
  • Senior middle blocker Claire Jeter led the charge at the net, notching four blocks to lead all players.
  • At middle blocker, graduate Maddie McLaughlin made her first start…

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