Lee Today

Florida Gulf Coast University Athletics recently issued the following announcement.

It was quite a calendar year for FGCU Athletics, with all 15 sports competing simultaneously for the first time during the spring semester after five teams were postponed from the 2020 fall due to the pandemic. Things resumed to a more 'normal' schedule during the 2021 fall. Despite the challenges, the Eagles continued to realize a high level of conference, regional, and national success no matter the circumstances.

In the spring, FGCU witnessed the trio of Petra Halmai of swimming, Van Holmgren of men's golf, and Magnus Johnson of men's tennis all compete in the NCAA Tournament as individuals. Halmai earned Honorable Mention NCAA All-America honors, while ASUN Championship medalist Holmgren had an outstanding showing to place 13th at the NCAA regionals. ASUN co-player and Freshman of the Year Johnson competed in the NCAA Tournament, where he fell in a close first round match to his eventual semi-finalist opponent from national runner-up Baylor.

Men's soccer's Gustavo Vasconcelos was named the ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year both during the Spring and Fall campaigns, while teammate Ethan Dudley was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year and O'Vonte Mullings the ASUN Player of the Year in the spring season. Mullings finished his Green & Blue career as the second-leading goal scorer and point producer in program history. In women's soccer, Louise Lillback was named the ASUN Player of the Year this fall, while Reedy Davenport became the first FGCU softball player to be named the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year… 2021 also witnessed the continuation of Volleyball's recent ASUN domination, as Erin Shomaker was named the Player of the Year in both seasons, while fellow 2-time ASUN Player of the Year Cortney VanLiew finished her career as the Eagles all-time leader in kills and as one of just three players to record 1,000 kills and digs for a career. And on the hardwood, Kierstan Bell was unanimously chosen as the ASUN Player and Newcomer of the Year, while also earning Honorable Mention All-America honors, as well as being named the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year.

Finally, three coaches were named ASUN Coach of the Year for leading their programs to tremendous successes. Men's Golf's Andrew Danna became the first ever ASUN Coach of the Year in program history, after spearheading his team to an unexpected conference runner-up and 65th in the nation ranking. Volleyball's Matt Botsford earned his third ASUN Coach of the Year honor in four years in the fall season, as the Eagles won the top seed and then their second ASUN Tournament championship before again advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with their win over Texas Tech. And the country's third winningest active women's basketball coach, Karl Smesko was named ASUN Coach of the Year for a record 11th time in his career for leading his team to their most recent sweep of the ASUN regular season and tournament titles, as well as another NCAA Tournament berth and top 25 final national ranking.

Original source can be found here.