Press Release courtesy of FGCU Athletics
Head coach Matt Botsford and the FGCU beach volleyball program has announced the signing of four student-athletes for the 2018-19 recruiting class.
The Eagles are coming off a 15-win season, which is the most in program history, and they finished as the ASUN Championship runner-up last year.
The class includes Emma Hansen of Westlake Academy in Trophy Club, Texas, Kaylyn Buchanan of Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Fla., Camryn Bossinas of Roswell High School in Roswell, Ga. and Lexi Fitzpatrick of Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Fla.
“This is the largest and most decorated recruiting class that we have had at FGCU within the beach program,” FGCU head coach Matt Botsford said. “These four young women will play a big role in our future successes, and we are so excited to have them joining the Eagle family.”
Emma Hansen
5-7
Westlake Academy/Trophy Club, Texas
Hansen has competed with 692 Texas since 2013 where she has been a member of the 692 national team in 2016 and 2017. She regularly competes and places in national qualifiers, winning bids to compete in national tournaments such as USAV, AAU Junior Olympics, Rox Nationals, NVL, BVCA, SSOVA, ESPL and HP/USAV FIVB World Trials Qualifier.
“When I visited FGCU, I loved everything about it,” Hansen said of her decision. “From the coaches to the players to the campus. I felt excited to be there and wasn’t ready to leave.”
As a member of her high school’s indoor team, Hansen was a four-year varsity member and team captain as a setter. She led her team to four TCAF state championships, was twice named to the state’s all-tournament team as a sophomore and senior, and was named the state tournament MVP as a junior. She is a four-time First Team All-Texas selection, a two-time District MVP and a four-time First Team All-District selection.
“Emma is a quick and explosive player who shows a lot of creativity on the court,” Botsford said. “She has good offensive range and a quick arm that allows her to side out well while generating a lot of scoring opportunities on the defensive end with her speed. Emma’s ability to cover the court with such balance and instinct is a great building block that we are looking forward to working with.”
Academically, Hansen is a member of the National Art Honor Society.
Kaylyn Buchanan
5-10
Lincoln/Tallahassee, Fla.
Buchanan, who led her high school beach team to undefeated seasons in 2015 and 2016, produced a 100-block season in 2016 and earned All-Big Bend recognition.
“I chose FGCU because of all the opportunities for success it granted me,” Buchanan said of her decision. “It also allowed me to stay close to my family and train with amazing coaches and one of my best friends (Lexi Fitzpatrick).”
Academically, Buchanan has been an A/B Honor Roll student and a National Honor Society member throughout her high school career. She was also named an AAU Academic All-American in 2016.
“Kaylyn is a really dynamic player who has just recently started to focus more of her attention to beach volleyball,” Botsford said. “As a multi-sport athlete, she has such a great foundation to build on. I’m excited to see what she can do in this environment. She functions so well along the net as a hitter and blocker, but what really stands out is her overall speed. Kaylyn’s physicality will be a huge asset in the sand, and we are expecting her to make a quick transition at the next level.”
Camryn Bossinas
5-7
Roswell/Roswell, Ga.
Bossinas is a 2016 Rox National Champion (16U) and has won 11 gold medals with 23 top 3 finishes. She’s a multiple bid winner for USAV, Rox, BVCA and the AAU National Championships. She consistently ranked in the top 25 of USAV rankings in 16’s and 18’s.
“FGCU had everything I was hoping for in a school,” Bossinas said of her decision. “The coaches and players are great people, and the community as a whole is very welcoming. Based off academics, the beach team and the location of the campus, it offered the best opportunity to further my education and continue to play the sport that I love.”
As a member of her high school’s indoor team, Bossinas broke her school’s career record for most digs (1,373) and just missed the aces record by seven. She was a four-year varsity starter as a libero who also played outside hitter her final two seasons due to injuries on the team. She was named MaxPreps Player of the Match multiple times in each of the past three seasons, and she was named Prep VB Defensive Dandie Honorable Mention, PrepVolleyball Soph 79 Honorable Mention, an AVCA Future Phenom and to the Under Armour Watch List.
“Camryn has put a lot of time and effort into the beach game over the past couple years and her development has been really impressive,” Botsford said. “She plays with such poise out on the sand and has a wonderful understanding of the tactical side of things. She has a great feel for the game and her court sense and decision making really impressed me right from the start. Camryn’s defensive abilities and ball handling are excellent and will serve her well at the next level.”
Academically, Bossinas has been a principal’s honor roll student all four years of high school. She is the Beta Club Vice President and a four-time member of the National Society of High School Scholars. She has compiled a 3.9 or higher GPA throughout high school and is a four-year member of the Fulton County Talented and Gifted Program.
Lexi Fitzpatrick
6-0
Lincoln/Tallahassee, Fla.
Fitzpatrick, who also helped lead her team to a pair of undefeated beach seasons, took home first place at the Rox Championships in 2016, placed 13th at the AAU national championships and was a bronze winner at the High Performance Championships.
“I fell in love with the campus, and the coaches are amazing,” Fitzpatrick said of her decision. “It just seemed like the perfect fit for me.”
Academically, Fitzpatrick is a four-time honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. She is editor-in-chief of the Lincoln Legend Yearbook and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“Lexi has been playing at a high level nationally for quite some time, and we were so excited when she decided that FGCU was the right fit for her,” Botsford said. “She is among the top players in the state and has a skill set well suited for the collegiate game. Her combination of size, power, finesse and ball control will allow her to make an impact right away within our program.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Dan Durren Photography, Ryan Turner Images, Alison Bossinas and Tallahassee Democrat
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU volleyball program, follow on Twitter at @FGCU_BeachVB, on Facebook at /FGCUVolleyball and on Instagram at @FGCU_VB.
COACH BOTSFORD
Head coach Matt Botsford, who is also the head coach of the FGCU indoor volleyball program, is entering his fifth season at the helm of the FGCU beach volleyball program in 2018. In his tenure, the team has compiled a 32-46 record, and he’s improved the team’s win total each season. In fact, he led the program to 11 wins in 2016 and 15 in 2017 – both of which were new records for most wins in a season. The beach volleyball program is entering just its seventh year at FGCU and has an overall record of 43-61. Prior to his time in Southwest Florida, Botsford held successful stints as an assistant at Notre Dame, Miami, IUPUI, Indianapolis and most recently Colorado State. A former professional volleyball player, he is a 1998 graduate of Tri-State University (now Trine), where he earned a degree in Social Studies Education. He earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Indianapolis.
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics’ charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help.
IRMA RELIEF DONATIONS
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, many individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida are still in desperate need of assistance. To aid in those relief efforts, FGCU Athletics will be collecting donations at all Eagle home games for the immediate future. Donation items most needed include: non-perishable food, clothing, household items and first-aid supplies. Additionally, those unable to attend upcoming home games can drop off donations in canisters located in the Alico Arena lobby. All donations will be given to those hardest hit in Lee and Collier counties.
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