Dana Axner

Classroom

Axner is pursuing a degree in secondary mathematics, boasting a 3.91 cumulative GPA.

She became the first in program history, and only the fifth in school history, to be named a CoSIDA Academic All-American last spring. Axner was also named to the ASUN All-Academic Team and CoSIDA Academic All-District Team in 2020.

She has been recognized on the FGCU President’s List, Dean’s List, AD’s Honor Roll, and ASUN Honor Roll throughout her career.

Character

Head Coach Matt Botsford:
“Axner is truly a role model for our younger players and younger fans. She is approachable, kind, and thoughtful. She’s involved in our community as a student teacher in a local middle school where she’s taught math. Axner works so hard to be successful in the gym and also academically. She has been a captain for us and she leads by example – she attacks everything in her life in order to achieve her goals. That’s such a positive example to set for others. Axner has been a terrific ambassador for our program and so influential in helping us build and maintain a culture of excellence.”

Community

Since arriving at FGCU, Axner has volunteered over 80 hours of service on top of her work as a student teacher at a local middle school.

She has worked with the Stop Foundation, Path of Love, Beach Cleanup, and Night at the Nest.

Axner has also been an integral member of the FGCU Eagles Council, where she has taken part in campus and community initiatives.

Competition

Heading into her senior season, Axner is a two-time ASUN Defensive Player of the Year and a former ASUN Freshman of the Year.

She has been a three-time ASUN all-conference selection, earning two first team honors. Axner has also been named a 2019 AVCA All-Southeast Region first team selection, two-time VolleyballMag honorable mention All-American, and a member of the 2018 Freshman All-America second team.

In her career, Axner has recorded 1,668 career digs, which ranks as the third-most in program history and ninth most in conference history. She is on pace to become FGCU’s all-time leader in digs and to become only the second player in conference history to eclipse the 2,000 mark. Axner currently ranks 34th among active NCAA players for most career digs.

Axner was recently named to the ASUN’s All-Decade Team (2010-19).