Box Score LAKE WALES—For the first time in program history, the Fire volleyball program will be playing in The Sun Conference championship game, after defeating second-seeded St. Thomas 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal match at Warner University.
The Fire came out strong in the first set, battling back from a four-point deficit with a 4-1 run, and eventually tying the set at 18. A 5-0 run ensued, and SEU had a 23-18. St. Thomas took advantage of a hitting error and tightened up the set, but eventually, the Fire came away with 25-23 win in which, they hit .308, and recorded 17 kills.
St. Thomas came away with the second set 25-20, which was answered with a 25-20 win by Southeastern.
The final set was a back-and-forth battle between the two sides, and was even at five after 10 rallies. The Fire pulled away to take an 11-8 lead, but the Bobcats battled back to tie the set at 12. On
Lydia Rooth's match-best 24
th kill of the day, the Fire recorded a 15-13 win, to seal the victory.
"Something that we've been naturally talented with has been our blocking ability, which is something that we've been able to use as a strength," said coach
Audrey Gilbert. "Our girls came out with the expectation to try to go as far as we could in this tournament after finishing third in the regular season."
Rooth also added a team-high 21 digs, and assisted on four blocks.
Victoria Trueheart added 14 kills, 10 digs, three aces, and four blocks to the winning effort. As a team, the Fire totaled 14 blocks as a team, and hit .206.
Lindsey Fleming had a match-best 52 assists, of the team's 59 total. She also added 11 digs and a pair of blocks.
Alyssa Prescott also had 11 digs.
The Fire will take on the winner of the Warner-Keiser match in the late semifinal.
