4th sibling to graduate from FGCU savors academic and athletic career
- Rick Weber
- Alumni
- Contributors: James Greco, Photos
5 – minute read
It’s all so fresh for Shelby Kent right now.
Her consciousness is flooded with indelible memories of four years at Florida Gulf Coast University. Her FGCU career was a smashing success, athletically and academically, but with that journey’s end comes the pang of anticipation as she embarks on a new, uncharted path.
In December, she set an FGCU women’s volleyball single-season kills record with 507 and played in her fourth straight NCAA Tournament. Then she received her second degree, an MBA, upholding her family’s legacy as the fourth sibling to graduate from FGCU, following brothers Bronson, Dalton and Garrett.
And now?
“Volleyball has been such a huge part of my life that it’ll definitely feel strange not competing,” she says.
After a season in which she ranked 18th in the nation with 19 matches of 15 or more kills, it also seems strange now to think that she arrived at FGCU just aiming to “get on the court.” And to think that during her sophomore year, when her playing time was still negligible, she was frustrated and doubting whether she’d ever make an impact on the program.
“After one particular home game my parents came to, I remember going to them and expressing how hard it was to not be able to make it on the court. They reminded me of why I started playing volleyball in the first place — because I loved the game and the challenges it brought,” Kent says. “They told me that God had a plan for me, even if I couldn’t see it then. I had to trust in His timing and keep doing my part. The rest would fall into place.
“That conversation gave me the perspective I needed. I stopped focusing on what wasn’t happening in the moment and instead trusted the process, knowing there was a bigger plan at work. By junior year, I was starting, and all that hard work paid off in ways I never imagined.
“I came in wanting to work hard, contribute and grow as a player, but I never imagined I’d achieve something like this. Our coaches always emphasized how hard it is to continue to make history and raise the bar for this program due to the amazing players and athletes that have come before. It’s really a reflection of the trust my teammates and coaches had in me and the support we’ve all shared.”
Kent was named ASUN Player of the Year in 2024, led FGCU to the ASUN championship and followed that up by being named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s All-Southeast Region team.
She’s just as proud of what she did off the court. Kent also was named to the ASUN All-Academic Team after compiling a 3.633 GPA. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from FGCU in 2023, then pursued her MBA with a concentration in accounting and taxation.
Balancing the demands of being a Division 1 volleyball player with a rigorous academic workload was challenging, she says. She entered FGCU with an associate’s degree through dual enrollment and immediately began taking classes in her major while adapting to the fast-paced schedule of collegiate athletics.
“Managing my time between practices, games and studying often felt overwhelming,” Kent says. “This transition was tough, as I had to learn how to handle studying, attending classes, practices, lifts, travel and maintaining healthy sleep and eating habits.”
After earning her bachelor’s degree during her sophomore year, she didn’t take a break academically or athletically. Kent immediately began pursuing her master’s degree while continuing to compete at a high level in volleyball.
“Pushing through exhaustion to finish papers or prepare for games became a constant, but those moments shaped me into someone who thrives under pressure and excels in demanding environments,” she says.
Participating in collegiate athletics taught her what it means to work hard for something bigger than herself, Kent says. FGCU’s volleyball program has a tradition of excellence, so she savors her contribution to four consecutive ASUN championships. FGCU volleyball has a legacy, and now she has a legacy.
“I learned the value of persistence, patience and trusting the process,” she says. “Over my last two years, I earned the opportunity to contribute and grow into a better player, teammate and leader. FGCU challenged me to handle pressure, overcome adversity and trust my coaches, teammates and myself completely. That growth is something I’ll carry with me forever.”
In “Time to Move On,” Tom Petty sings, “It’s time to move on, it’s time to get going. What lies ahead, I have no way of knowing.”
And so it is with Kent. She plans to work toward becoming a certified public accountant and is especially interested in forensic accounting. She’s also open to opportunities to remain involved with volleyball through coaching or mentoring younger athletes.
“I’m excited to take the skills I’ve developed during my time at FGCU and apply them in the professional world,” she says. “I’m taking with me resilience, discipline and the ability to manage my time. Balancing academics, athletics and life has taught me how to perform under pressure and adapt to challenges, which are skills I’ll carry into my career and beyond.”
Not bad for someone who just wanted to “get on the court.”