Top Photo: “Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.” (Photo by Zachary Gibbons / The Eagles Sports Report)

Action Photo: Senior outside hitter Julija Grubisic Cabo elevates for a kill during FGCU’s 3-1 victory over VCU. (Photo by Brad Young / FGCU Athletics)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University volleyball team opened its 2026 season and the FGCU Invitational with a 3-1 victory (25-17, 25-16, 24-26, 25-19) over Virginia Commonwealth University on Friday night at Alico Arena.

Senior outside hitter Julija Grubisic Cabo led the Eagles’ offensive output with a match-high 16 kills while adding 10 digs for a double-double. Freshman opposite hitter Maju Hildebrand, a native of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, impressed in her NCAA Division I debut with 13 kills, while Grand Canyon University transfer sophomore outside hitter Shay Heaney, an Elkhorn, Nebraska, native, delivered a complete performance with 10 kills, a team-leading 11 digs, and four service aces.

Eliska Vytiskova had a team-high 29 assists alongside 10 digs for a double-double. Dinara Sabitova contributed 15 assists of her own as part of FGCU’s dual-setter setup. At the net, freshman middle blocker Amany Kuwa set the defensive tone, recording six total blocks to anchor the front row.

Reflecting on the opening victory and getting the first real test of the new roster, FGCU head coach Thais Baziquetto-Allen was pleased with how her group handled game adjustments on the fly.

“It was great. It was the first time we got to see some different teams and put in place some stuff [and some stuff worked against us], but then to see the matchups and make in-game adjustments—it’s the first time this group comes together, so we really enjoyed it. Our outsides did a good job. Middles were involved, the decision-making was good, and serving started really good, but kind of dropped off a little bit, but overall a really good start,” Baziquetto-Allen said.

Grubisic Cabo broke down VCU’s tactical approach and how the Eagles managed to pull away in the four-set battle.

“I think VCU was prepared. They were running their offense in a way that was making it difficult for us to block, but we were getting some good touches. They were doing a little bit better on the serve-receive side part of the game. I feel like we are often just unstoppable in a way that we just scored more points than they did,” Grubisic Cabo said. “When it comes to passing, I feel like we were in system a little bit more, which allowed us to use our middles… The win was just a combination of discipline, scouting, distributing the ball well, and efficiency.”

Hildebrand’s debut earned immediate praise from Baziquetto-Allen following the match.

“She’s very physical, she’s a lefty. She sees the game, she has a high volleyball IQ for a freshman. She played a lot of international competition she comes with a lot of experience,” Baziquetto-Allen said.

Heaney also received recognition from Baziquetto-Allen after her strong performance.

“She’s great,” Baziquetto-Allen said. “A transfer from GCU we love. Her blocking is amazing, her offense is good. We need to work a little bit on her serve. Her passing…ball control is amazing so we really love that.”

After dropping a tight 26-24 third set to the Rams, the Eagles steadied their serve-receive in the fourth set to secure the 25-19 win. The late-set friction provided an early teaching moment for Baziquetto-Allen’s squad.

“We just need to do a little bit of a better job of finishing,” Baziquetto-Allen said. “We need a little bit more discipline to finish the set.”

Playing in front of an energetic home crowd at “The Nest,” the victory set a strong tone for opening weekend.

“Seeing familiar faces in the crowd from other sports shows that ‘The Nest’ is something special,” Grubisic Cabo added. “To start off with a win is just the first step in showing everyone that we’re going to do big things this year.”

FGCU returns to Alico Arena on Saturday at 5 p.m. to take on No. 24 BYU.