This year, FGCU has only 2 seniors that were both transfer students one year ago: Eleonora Kazarian and Vanessa Benke.
Eleonora or "Ella" as she likes to be called, hails from Tibilisi, Georgia (no it is not in the US). She was a transfer from College of Central Florida (CCF), a Junior College in Ocala. Last season, Kazarian played and started all 30 games and finished with 402 kills while scoring 3.34 points per set and 262 digs, which was the 2nd most on the team. In addition, she was also named a member to the A-Sun All-Conference First Team. She has a lot of power and experience that is brought to the table and will surely bring an impact to the Atlantic Sun Conference and the NCAA overall.
Vanessa Benke, the other senior, is from Toledo, Brazil and she is also a transfer from CCF. During her junior year, it was not fully the best for her. She only played 11 games and couldn't continue due to a season ending injury, but that didn't mean she was gonna quit. Vanessa's playing style is very unique, especially her serving. When she serves the ball, she throws it in the air and it looks like the ball is heading for outer space and is not sure when it is coming back and I realized that she has the same serving style as Maja Ristic, a former volleyball player from State College of Florida (SCF) and current player for Florida Atlantic University (FAU). For this year, she will be better amd stronger than last year and will bring a lot of impact this year.
Vanessa Benke, the other senior, is from Toledo, Brazil and she is also a transfer from CCF. During her junior year, it was not fully the best for her. She only played 11 games and couldn't continue due to a season ending injury, but that didn't mean she was gonna quit. Vanessa's playing style is very unique, especially her serving. When she serves the ball, she throws it in the air and it looks like the ball is heading for outer space and is not sure when it is coming back and I realized that she has the same serving style as Maja Ristic, a former volleyball player from State College of Florida (SCF) and current player for Florida Atlantic University (FAU). For this year, she will be better amd stronger than last year and will bring a lot of impact this year.
For this year, since Kazarian and Benke are the only 2 seniors, they will be receiving a lot more help and support from their teammates. Returning players from last year that are still a part of the backbone of the team include Juniors Marlene Moeller (Middle Blocker) and Caroline Jordan (Libero/Defensive Specialist), Sophomores Courtney Stephens (Libero/Defensive Specialist), Lauren Tutwiler (Middle Blocker) and Mackenzie Allen (Outside Hitter/Libero). In addition, FGCU also managed to land 2 transfers to play for them: Leigh Pudwill (Outside Hitter UNI) and Marina Adami (Setter CCF). They will also have a chance to see 5 freshman players to back them up as well: Karissa Rhodes (Outside Hitter), Maggie Rick (Setter), Kaitlan Krivdo (Opposite Hitter/Middle Blocker), Elisa Anne Aldrich (Middle Blocker) and Amanda Carroll (Outside Hitter).
"The only things you learn are the things you tame"-
For someone who has a lot of experience on the team, nothing can or will stop Marlene Moeller. Moeller, a 6'2" Middle Blocker from Lüdinghausen, Germany, has played for FGCU since her freshman year. In her freshman year she played in 18 matches with 10 starts. One of her best games freshman year was recording 17 kills in the Atlantic Sun Tournament against Jacksonville. Last year, as a sophomore, Marlene had a .667 hitting percentage in the final season game against Jacksonville. I am definitely looking forward to see more of her experience on the court.
Finally, who do you know that has curly hair, a strong spirit and is considered to be called Mrs. Aces by my standards? No doubt in the world that it has to be none other than Amanda Carroll. A 5'10" Outside Hitter from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Amanda can surely bring fire to the team. A graduate from Sandia High School, she played for the volleyball team under head coach Kris Borland. She played all 4 years in high school and her credentials for her accomplishments show. Amanda was named All-Metro Athlete of the Year and First Team All-Metro honoree for 3 years in a row, a 3x All-District Honoree and a 2x New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year (2013, 2014). She also led SHS to a record of 21-1 and Class 5A State Title in 2013. You think that you'll be able to stop Amanda from getting an ace, then you're crazy.
When you see these ladies play, they're amazing. Just seeing the first game when they played The University of New Orleans in the first game of the season and win can give you chills and it sends a message to the other teams saying "You better watch out... FGCU is ready." On the outside of Volleyball, each of the players are really sweet and really kind.I'm honored that I get to talk and be friends with them for as long as I can. You talk to one of them, then you'll be talking to the whole team by then and they will make you feel like you're a part of their lives. So whether you're having a good conversation with Courtney Stephens to Lauren Tutwiler, just know that even if they play in intense games, they still have time to get to know you and have fun talking to you.
"The only things you learn are the things you tame"-
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
For someone who has a lot of experience on the team, nothing can or will stop Marlene Moeller. Moeller, a 6'2" Middle Blocker from Lüdinghausen, Germany, has played for FGCU since her freshman year. In her freshman year she played in 18 matches with 10 starts. One of her best games freshman year was recording 17 kills in the Atlantic Sun Tournament against Jacksonville. Last year, as a sophomore, Marlene had a .667 hitting percentage in the final season game against Jacksonville. I am definitely looking forward to see more of her experience on the court.
Another returning junior that has also played since her freshman year is Caroline Jordan. a 5'8" Libero and Defensive Specialist from Orlando, Florida, Caroline has just as much experience as Moeller. During her freshman year, she played in 85 sets and had 107 digs, 7 kills, 6 assists and 9 service aces. Her best game that year was against UNF 2 kills, 2 assists, 2 service aces and a career-high 19 digs. For someone with her experience, she is definitely gonna make great strides this season.
The players that have played for FGCU last year are great, but what about the transfer players? Two great additions for the team that are going to be a big help for the team this year are Leigh Pudwill and Marina Adami.
Just like Moeller, Leigh Pudwill will also bring a good amount of height to the team. Leigh is a 6'2" Outside Hitter from Lino Lakes, Minnesota, but she didn't transfer from a NJCAA or NAIA college. She transfered from another Division 1 college: University of Northern Iowa Panthers of the Missouri Valley Conference. Although this is her first season with FGCU, she is still just as dominante like she was at UNI. Last year at UNI, she appeared in all 32 games playing 122 sets while recording 334 kills with 2.7 kills per set and 70 blocks. In addition, she help lead the Panthers to the MVC Championship match beforing losing to Illinois State in the finals. This year for Leigh can be a similar or different situation for her, but no matter what she still is going to be a big help for FGCU.
You would think that Vanessa Benke would be the only Brazilian to play on the team right? WRONG!!! Vanessa will not be alone and she has backup with her and that is Marina Adami. Marina is a 6'1" Setter from Caxias Do Sul, Brazil and comes from CCF as a transfer, in which she played with Ella and Vanessa during their sophomore years. Before transferring to FGCU, Adami made an impact for CCF. In her freshman year with Ella and Vanessa, she earned First Team All-Mid-Florida Conference Honors before finishing 2nd in the nation in kills with a single-season school record of 1,621 in 42 matches. On 2 occasions against Hillsborough Community College (HCC), Marina recorded a season-high 62 assists before heading to the FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII State Championship. Although they lost the state championship to HCC, CCF still qualified as one of 3 Florida teams for the NJCAA National Championship Tournament in Casper, Wyoming. Although they lost in the opening round they managed to snag 5th place in the tournament. During her sophomore, Marina had 1,381 assists and 243 digs, once again earning First Team All-Mid-Florida Conference Honors as well as being an All-State and All-Tournament Team member in the postseason. Adami definitely has got a good reputation for the team.
For the sophomores that returned this season, you might think by their heights would be a yin-yang kind of situation. For Mackenzie Allen, it's fine, but for Lauren Tutwiler and Courtney Stephens, it's a different ball game and a different scenario.
You've heard the saying: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."
For Courtney Stephens, you would think she hadn't heard her being called names like "short", "tiny" or even "fun-size," but don't let her height fool you for one second because she can bring the game to a whole other level. Stephens, a 5'4" Libero comes from Winter Park, Florida. For her freshman year, Courtney played all 30 games and started 15 of them and played in 108 sets. Her best game in first season was when she played Stetson and had 19 digs in that games. So the next time you want to call her those names, just remember this saying when you face: "Be careful what you say next."
The saying is still in session for another returning player and you better be aware of and be careful to face sophomore Lauren Tutwiler. Why do I say be careful you ask? Oh I don't know, how about the fact that this Middle Blocker from Louisville, Kentucky is 6'3" and can tower over a lot of players easily! Last year as a freshman, Lauren played and started 25 of all 30 games. Her best game that year was against Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) scoring 13.5 points with 12 kills, 3 digs, 1 solo block and 1 block assist. So don't let her smile fool her because when that smile leaves her face, you know what's gonna happen next.
Just like Moeller, Leigh Pudwill will also bring a good amount of height to the team. Leigh is a 6'2" Outside Hitter from Lino Lakes, Minnesota, but she didn't transfer from a NJCAA or NAIA college. She transfered from another Division 1 college: University of Northern Iowa Panthers of the Missouri Valley Conference. Although this is her first season with FGCU, she is still just as dominante like she was at UNI. Last year at UNI, she appeared in all 32 games playing 122 sets while recording 334 kills with 2.7 kills per set and 70 blocks. In addition, she help lead the Panthers to the MVC Championship match beforing losing to Illinois State in the finals. This year for Leigh can be a similar or different situation for her, but no matter what she still is going to be a big help for FGCU.
You would think that Vanessa Benke would be the only Brazilian to play on the team right? WRONG!!! Vanessa will not be alone and she has backup with her and that is Marina Adami. Marina is a 6'1" Setter from Caxias Do Sul, Brazil and comes from CCF as a transfer, in which she played with Ella and Vanessa during their sophomore years. Before transferring to FGCU, Adami made an impact for CCF. In her freshman year with Ella and Vanessa, she earned First Team All-Mid-Florida Conference Honors before finishing 2nd in the nation in kills with a single-season school record of 1,621 in 42 matches. On 2 occasions against Hillsborough Community College (HCC), Marina recorded a season-high 62 assists before heading to the FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII State Championship. Although they lost the state championship to HCC, CCF still qualified as one of 3 Florida teams for the NJCAA National Championship Tournament in Casper, Wyoming. Although they lost in the opening round they managed to snag 5th place in the tournament. During her sophomore, Marina had 1,381 assists and 243 digs, once again earning First Team All-Mid-Florida Conference Honors as well as being an All-State and All-Tournament Team member in the postseason. Adami definitely has got a good reputation for the team.
For the sophomores that returned this season, you might think by their heights would be a yin-yang kind of situation. For Mackenzie Allen, it's fine, but for Lauren Tutwiler and Courtney Stephens, it's a different ball game and a different scenario.
You've heard the saying: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."
For Courtney Stephens, you would think she hadn't heard her being called names like "short", "tiny" or even "fun-size," but don't let her height fool you for one second because she can bring the game to a whole other level. Stephens, a 5'4" Libero comes from Winter Park, Florida. For her freshman year, Courtney played all 30 games and started 15 of them and played in 108 sets. Her best game in first season was when she played Stetson and had 19 digs in that games. So the next time you want to call her those names, just remember this saying when you face: "Be careful what you say next."
The saying is still in session for another returning player and you better be aware of and be careful to face sophomore Lauren Tutwiler. Why do I say be careful you ask? Oh I don't know, how about the fact that this Middle Blocker from Louisville, Kentucky is 6'3" and can tower over a lot of players easily! Last year as a freshman, Lauren played and started 25 of all 30 games. Her best game that year was against Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) scoring 13.5 points with 12 kills, 3 digs, 1 solo block and 1 block assist. So don't let her smile fool her because when that smile leaves her face, you know what's gonna happen next.
If you ever need an extra Libero to help out the team, who you gonna call? No not the ghostbusters, but you gonna call Mackenzie Allen. Mackenzie, a 5'10" Outside hitter and Libero from Naples, Florida has been an important role for FGCU. Why you ask? Well when Vanessa Benke got injured last season, the young freshman at the time took over as Libero and stepped up to fill the void in the starting lineup. She did so well that she finished 5th on the team with 130 kills and 200 digs. Mackenzie also managed to get 11 kills on three different occasions (UNF, Stetson, and Kennesaw State) and 22 digs against UNF earning a double-double in that game. The void she filled earned herself a selection on the Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman Team. For someone that was a freshman last year fill in for a great player with a season-ending injury, Mackenzie sure has done an excellent job doing that.
Now that we got the seniors, juniors, sophomores and transfers talked about, what about them freshman??? For this year, the volleyball team has 5 freshman on the team, but are sure to make as much of an impact this year: Karissa Rhoades, Maggie Rick, Kaitlan Krivdo, Elisa Anne Aldrich and Amanda Carroll.
You want to see some impact from the freshman, then why not first talk about Karissa Rhoades. A 5'11" outside hitter from Valrico, Florida, Karissa's capability is definitely something to bring to the table. Graduating from Bloomingdale Senior High School, she was one of the top volleyball players in her school. Under head coach Claudia Cabrera, Karissa is an A-list player. She led BSHS to the 2014 8A District Championship and record 18 kills in the championship match. Her awards were also a key factor to her volleyball career: 2x First Team All Suncoast honors in 2013 and 2014, 2x All County First Team selection and a 3x First Team All Western Conference honoree. I look forward to bring those credentials with her.
You can't just have one setter on the team because it wouldn't be fair to have Marina do all the work as a setter. So she definitely needs backup and that's where Maggie Rick comes into play. A 5'10" setter from Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Alpharetta, Georgia that played under head coach Paul Stevens, Maggie is definitely a one-of-a-kind setter and her credentials show: A state champion in 2014, 4x First Team All-Area selection and a 3x First Team All-State honoree. Rick is a definite role player that can bring definite backup to help Marina and the team.
You would think that someone tall like Kaitlan Krivdo would unassumingly be a sophomore or junior, but the saying "Looks can be deceiving," does come into play for the 6' Opposite Side Hitter and Middle Blocker from Hope Mills, North Carolina. Kaitlan or Kaiti, as she likes to be called, played for Gray Creek High School under head coach Crystal Waddell. She is a 2x coaches award winner in 2013 and 2014 and earned the Gray Creek scholar-athlete award for 3 straight years. She will definitely bring true height to the team.
You'll need backup that can help big time for Marlene and Lauren and the person to do that is Elisa Anne Aldrich. Aldrich is 5'11" Middle Blocker from Charleston, South Carolina. As a graduate from Wando High School, she played all 4 years under head coach Alexis Glover. Last season, Aldrich helped Wando to 47-5 record and led them to the 4A State Championship and led the team in blocks. In addition, during her senior year, she was named to the All-Region and All-Country teams. This high school All-American volleyball player is sure willing to give 100% effort to play for FGCU.
You can't just have one setter on the team because it wouldn't be fair to have Marina do all the work as a setter. So she definitely needs backup and that's where Maggie Rick comes into play. A 5'10" setter from Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Alpharetta, Georgia that played under head coach Paul Stevens, Maggie is definitely a one-of-a-kind setter and her credentials show: A state champion in 2014, 4x First Team All-Area selection and a 3x First Team All-State honoree. Rick is a definite role player that can bring definite backup to help Marina and the team.
You would think that someone tall like Kaitlan Krivdo would unassumingly be a sophomore or junior, but the saying "Looks can be deceiving," does come into play for the 6' Opposite Side Hitter and Middle Blocker from Hope Mills, North Carolina. Kaitlan or Kaiti, as she likes to be called, played for Gray Creek High School under head coach Crystal Waddell. She is a 2x coaches award winner in 2013 and 2014 and earned the Gray Creek scholar-athlete award for 3 straight years. She will definitely bring true height to the team.
You'll need backup that can help big time for Marlene and Lauren and the person to do that is Elisa Anne Aldrich. Aldrich is 5'11" Middle Blocker from Charleston, South Carolina. As a graduate from Wando High School, she played all 4 years under head coach Alexis Glover. Last season, Aldrich helped Wando to 47-5 record and led them to the 4A State Championship and led the team in blocks. In addition, during her senior year, she was named to the All-Region and All-Country teams. This high school All-American volleyball player is sure willing to give 100% effort to play for FGCU.
Finally, who do you know that has curly hair, a strong spirit and is considered to be called Mrs. Aces by my standards? No doubt in the world that it has to be none other than Amanda Carroll. A 5'10" Outside Hitter from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Amanda can surely bring fire to the team. A graduate from Sandia High School, she played for the volleyball team under head coach Kris Borland. She played all 4 years in high school and her credentials for her accomplishments show. Amanda was named All-Metro Athlete of the Year and First Team All-Metro honoree for 3 years in a row, a 3x All-District Honoree and a 2x New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year (2013, 2014). She also led SHS to a record of 21-1 and Class 5A State Title in 2013. You think that you'll be able to stop Amanda from getting an ace, then you're crazy.
When you see these ladies play, they're amazing. Just seeing the first game when they played The University of New Orleans in the first game of the season and win can give you chills and it sends a message to the other teams saying "You better watch out... FGCU is ready." On the outside of Volleyball, each of the players are really sweet and really kind.I'm honored that I get to talk and be friends with them for as long as I can. You talk to one of them, then you'll be talking to the whole team by then and they will make you feel like you're a part of their lives. So whether you're having a good conversation with Courtney Stephens to Lauren Tutwiler, just know that even if they play in intense games, they still have time to get to know you and have fun talking to you.
