BRUNSWICK, Ga.—In its first appearance in the NAIA National Tournament, the Fire came up short to 22
nd-ranked Coastal Georgia in four sets.
Southeastern (18-10) started strong, hitting .368 as a team with 17 kills in the first set, en route to a 25-18 win. Leading 9-6, the Fire went on a 6-1 run to build a 15-7 advantage, with three of those points coming on
Lydia Rooth kills.
It was just the fourth set in 14 matches the Mariners had dropped at home this season.
The hosts returned to form in the second set, recording 17 kills in a 25-18 win over the Fire.
Costal Georgia (31-3) pulled away late, hitting .409 with 11 kills and an eye-popping .565 with 15 kills in the final set to come away with 25-21 and 25-18 wins to advance to the NAIA National Tournament final site for the second consecutive season.
"Our girls definitely showed heart tonight and fought through the last point," said coach
Audrey Gilbert. "I think they've set a really strong foundation for what this program is becoming and the direction we're headed.
"It's given them a taste of what a championship team is like and give them motivation to return."
The Fire got a monster night from Rooth, who had 19 kills, a .271 attack percentage, 12 digs, and an ace. Sophomore
Kelsey Morton added 13 kills, a .345 attack percentage, and assisted on two blocks.
Lindsey Fleming totaled 46 assists on 51 SEU kills, and added seven digs.
Alyssa Prescott recorded a team-high 13 digs.
