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

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. 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 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.

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…