FGCU men's, women's basketball release ASUN schedules; Chelsey Lockey competing with Team USA

The FGCU men's and women's basketball teams revealed their 2022-23 ASUN Conference schedules Thursday afternoon, via the ASUN's Twitter account.

The men, under first-year head coach Pat Chambers, will kick off their conference schedule with a New Year's Eve date against Jacksonville, while the women and Karl Smesko will host Liberty on Jan. 2 in what should be a pivotal contest to kick off conference play.

FGCU's Kierstan Bell (1) celebrates with FGCU's Emma List (32) after a play during the 2022 ASUN Women's Basketball Championship between FGCU and Jacksonville State on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.
FGCU's Kierstan Bell (1) celebrates with FGCU's Emma List (32) after a play during the 2022 ASUN Women's Basketball Championship between FGCU and Jacksonville State on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.

The women will look to build off a season where the team advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament, beating fifth-seeded Virginia Tech before falling to fourth-seeded Maryland. For much of the season, FGCU was ranked inside both the AP Top 25 and the USA Today Coaches Poll, while also seeing their first first-round pick in the WNBA Draft, when the Las Vegas Aces selected Kierstan Bell with the 11th pick.

The men, who finished 22-12 last season, made it to the ASUN Quarterfinals before falling to Bellarmine in what would be the end of the Michael Fly era after four years and a 56-60 record.

A smiling Kevin Samuel of FGCU heads down court after scoring against USC on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.
A smiling Kevin Samuel of FGCU heads down court after scoring against USC on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

While much of the nonconference schedule has yet to be made public, Chambers and FGCU will take part in the Gulf Coast Showcase this fall at Hertz Arena, per Stadium's Jeff Goodman. Joining the Eagles in the field will be Drexel, East Carolina, Indiana State, Kansas City, Northern Kentucky, Toledo, and UT Arlington.

The Eagles will complete the final game of a three-year deal with former FGCU coach Andy Enfield and USC, as the team will head out to Los Angeles to play the Trojans in a season-opening game on Nov. 7.

Florida Gulf Coast Eagles guard Tavian Dunn-Martin (5) drives during the second half of The Basketball Classic presented by Eracism first-round matchup between the Detroit Mercy Titans and the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.Florida Gulf Coast Eagles defeated the Detroit Mercy Titans 95-79.
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles guard Tavian Dunn-Martin (5) drives during the second half of The Basketball Classic presented by Eracism first-round matchup between the Detroit Mercy Titans and the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.Florida Gulf Coast Eagles defeated the Detroit Mercy Titans 95-79.

Men's Basketball

Dec. 31 — vs. Jacksonville

Jan. 2 — at Central Arkansas

Jan. 5 — at Austin Peay

Jan. 7 — vs. North Florida

Jan. 12 — at Eastern Kentucky

Jan. 14 — at Bellarmine

Jan. 19 — vs. Jacksonville State

Jan. 21 — vs. Kennesaw State

Jan. 26 — at Queens

Jan. 28 — at Liberty

Feb. 2 — vs. Central Arkansas

Feb. 4 — vs. North Alabama

Feb. 9 — at North Florida

Feb. 11 — at Jacksonville

Feb. 16 — at Stetson

Feb. 18 — vs. Stetson

Feb. 22 — vs. Lipscomb

Feb. 24 — vs. Austin Peay

The Florida Gulf Coast University womenÕs basketball team held a watch party to see who they would play in the NCAA womenÕs basketball tournament. They are paired with Virginia Tech. FGCU is a 12 seed and Virginia Tech is a 5 seed.
The Florida Gulf Coast University womenÕs basketball team held a watch party to see who they would play in the NCAA womenÕs basketball tournament. They are paired with Virginia Tech. FGCU is a 12 seed and Virginia Tech is a 5 seed.

Women's Basketball

Jan. 2 — vs. Liberty

Jan. 5 — vs. Jacksonville

Jan. 7 — at North Alabama

Jan. 12 — vs. North Alabama

Jan. 14 — vs. Central Arkansas

Jan. 19 — at Queens

Jan. 21 — at Liberty

Jan. 26 — vs. Eastern Kentucky

Jan. 28 — vs. Bellarmine

Feb. 2 — at Jacksonville

Feb. 4 — at North Florida

Feb. 9 — vs. Stetson

Feb. 11 — at Stetson

Feb. 16 — vs. Lipscomb

Feb. 18 — vs. Austin Peay

Feb. 23 — at Kennesaw State

Feb. 25 — at Jacksonville State

March 1 — at Lipscomb

FGCU setter Chelsey Lockey was selected to be one of 38 players to compete with the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team.
FGCU setter Chelsey Lockey was selected to be one of 38 players to compete with the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team.

FGCU setter to train with USA Volleyball

Chelsey Lockey is in the midst of competing with elite company.

The setter, who will enter the fall as a senior, is in Anaheim, California this week to work with the USA Volleyball Women's Collegiate National Team after being selected to the squad in March. Lockey is one of 38 players who was chosen to take part in the program, which began on June 19th, and runs to the 25th.

"Chelsey's growth within the setting position over the past few years has been so gratifying to watch and that development continues daily. She is such a talented, hard-working player, so committed to her craft, and so eager to learn, it is no surprise that she has found herself amongst a group of the nation's elite," said head coach Matt Botsford in a release. "The opportunity to compete alongside our US National Team is a wonderful honor and I can't wait for her to showcase her talents in that in environment with the US Collegiate group.

FGCU'S Chelsey Lockey sets the ball during the Eagles' 3-0 loss to Florida in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Orlando on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018.
FGCU'S Chelsey Lockey sets the ball during the Eagles' 3-0 loss to Florida in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Orlando on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018.

"This is a proud moment for all of us within FGCU Volleyball program and we are so excited for Chelsey."

Lockey was an All-ASUN First Team selection in 2021 after being voted the ASUN Setter of the year in 2020. She ranked 48th in the nation in assists per set, and 51st in total assists.

Follow Southwest Florida Sports Writer Alex Martin on Twitter — @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: FGCU basketball release ASUN schedules; Lockey competing with USA