LAKELAND, Fla.- For the first time, Southeastern volleyball will be hosting the first round of The Sun Conference tournament on Tuesday when they host county rival Webber International.
The Fire received the #4 seed in the tournament after posting an 8-6 record in league play, which finished with 3-0 wins over Ave Maria and Northwood to snap a three-game losing streak.
Against Northwood, the Fire recorded 43 kills on 95 attacks, and had just 10 errors. It was apropos that they were led by a senior in every category on Senior Night. Madeline Hanshaw and Carol Reis each recorded 11 kills, Reis added three blocks, Lindsey Fleming had 35 assists, and Katie Trenski had 12 digs and a pair of aces.
"It was really neat to see those four girls step up on their own and for the rest of the team to support them," said Coach Audrey Gilbert.
Webber International finished fifth in The Sun Conference with a 7-7 record. The Warriors have split their last four game, but both losses were to the top two teams in the conference in Embry Riddle and St. Thomas. They rank third in the conference in kills with 1,257. They also have the second most aces this year with 177 in 106 sets played. Individually, Breanna Bissel leads the way with 333 kills, which is second in the conference.
In the two previous meetings this season, each team won 3-0 on the road. The Fire swept the Warriors on September 23rd behind a 15-kill effort from Reis. The Warriors picked up a 3-0 win on October 28th when Bissel registered 17 kills. Southeastern held the lead in every set of the second meeting, and were the first team to 20 in the first two sets, but were unable to close out.
The winner will move on to take on top-seeded St. Thomas on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida.
"We need to play consistently to be successful tomorrow," said Gilbert. "Webber has a very good outside hitting game that we need to be ready for."
The game will start at The Furnace at 7 p.m. Live video will be available at portal.stretchinternet.com/southeastern.
