FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU head volleyball coach Matt Botsford announced the signing of four student-athletes during the early signing period. Botsford will welcome his third class to Fort Myers next fall.
 
Courtney VanLiew, Snowy Burnam, Alayna Ryan and Sharonda Pickering will join the Eagles in 2017. Two of the four future Eagles call Florida home, while the other two hail from Indiana and the British Virgin Islands.
 
"I'm really excited that these 4 have decided to continue their careers at FGCU," said Botsford. "They each possess a great blend of volleyball acumen and athleticism that will help propel this team to even greater heights. Equally important is the passion that they have each shown for this program and university. They are committed to our vision for the future and eager to make an impact.
 
Following the conclusion of the 2016 season, the Green and Blue will need to fill the voids left by departing seniors Leigh Pudwill (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS/Northern Iowa), Marlene Moeller (Lüdinghausen, Germany/Pascal Gymnasium), Caroline Jordan (Orlando, Fla./William R Boone HS) and Marina Adami (Caxias Do Sul, Brazil/ College of Central Florida) who collectively accounted for 31 percent of the Eagle points this season.
 
The 2016 Eagles finished the season as ASUN Tournament finalist after falling to Lipscomb in the conference's championship match this past weekend. The Green and Blue produced a historic season, setting a DI record with 27 wins. 
 
Cortney VanLiew
Seymour, Ind.
 
VanLiew comes to Southwest Florida after four years at Columbus East HS. She will graduate top-15 in her class this spring.
 
While playing for the Olympians, the 5-foot-11 hitter was named Indiana All-State twice and Hoosier Hills All-Conference three times. In addition, VanLiew was a recipient of the 2016 Wendy's Heisman state award for excellence in academics, athletics and community leadership.
 
VanLiew is the daughter of Mike and Janet VanLiew. She intends to major in exercise science while attending FGCU and aspires to become a trainer.
 
BOTSFORD ON VANLIEW:
Cortney is an elite athlete and a fierce competitor.  Whether it be swimming, track & field, or volleyball, she has excelled at a high level on every stage. When she made the decision to join our program I knew we were getting a player that would have an impact on both court and culture. Cortney is fearless and plays the game with a focus that I can really appreciate.  She has a big arm and will be a great weapon for us moving forward.

Snowy Burnam
Jensen Beach, Fla.
 
Burnam joins the Eagles following a four-year career at Jensen Beach HS.
 
At 5-foot-11, the outside hitter amassed more than 1,000 kills for the Falcons and helped the team to a state championship as a junior in 2015, which earned her recognition as 6a Florida Dairy Farmer Player of the Year. She's a three-time All-Area Team selection and was named All-State as a senior. 
 
Following her high school career, Burnam competed in the 2016 European Global Challenge where she was named to the All-Tournament Team after winning first place.
 
Burnam is the daughter of Curtis and Jen Burnam. She plans to major in anthropology.
 
BOTSFORD ON SNOWY:
Snowy is a unique talent that will immediately add an element of versatility to our program. She is an accomplished 6 rotation pin hitter but has also spent time at setter. That combination will allow us to explore some different line-up options in our gym. Snowy is so mature and poised on the court, and when you combine that with her physical gifts, you get an exceptional volleyball player.
 
Alayna Ryan
Fort Myers, Fla.
 
FGCU adds local talent in Ryan, who is a native of Fort Myers. She will graduate from Fort Myers HS in the spring with a GPA of 3.98.
 
The 5-foot-11 outside hitter/defensive specialist was a four-year letterman and two-year captain for the Green Waves. In 2015, she was named FACA 6A-18 All-State Player of the Year and News Press Player of the Year after leading the state of Florida (6A) in kills (384) and finishing sixth in digs (330).
 
Ryan is the daughter of Daniel Ryan and Angela Remington and the stepdaughter of J.R. Remington. She plans to major in biochemistry at FGCU.
 
BOTSFORD ON RYAN:
Getting a local player, the caliber of Alayna is very exciting for our program. She has had a very successful prep career and comes from a winning culture. Alayna has such a diverse skillset that I can see her playing multiple positions during her time here at FGCU. She is a dynamic blocker, an explosive and intelligent attacker, and has a wonderful touch on first contact. 
 
Sharonda Pickering
Sea Cow's Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
 
A member of the British Virgin Island's national team, Pickering graduated from Elmore Stoutt HS before attending Hillsborough Community College.
 
At Hillsborough, she ranked top-15 in the NJCAA in blocks in 2015 and 2016. Last season she was named First Team All-Conference and posted the best hitting percentage in the nation with a .474.
 
Pickering is the daughter of Amos and Sayretta Pickering. She intends to major in marketing and aspires to become an entrepreneur.
 
BOTSFORD ON PICKERING:
Sharonda will very likely be the most physically gifted player we have seen in an Eagle uniform. She plays this game at a height above the net that is rare and special. She is a shutdown blocker with a very fast arm, and will make for an excellent option out of the middle. Sharonda has the potential to make a huge impact on our program and will be a great compliment to the players we have in our gym.

FOLLOW ALONG
 For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU volleyball program, follow on Twitter at @FGCU_VB, on Facebook at /FGCUVolleyball and on Instagram at @FGCU_VB.
 
COACH BOTSFORD
 Head coach Matt Botsford is in his third year at the helm of the FGCU volleyball program.  His teams have combined for an overall 65-27 (.707) record, including a 32-10 (.762) mark in ASUN play. In his inaugural season, the Eagles finished with a record of 19-11 with a second-place ASUN finish. Botsford has coached 10 All-Conference selections in his two seasons. 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.