LAKELAND, Fla.—After a week-long layoff, the Fire were looking to get a bad taste out of their mouths.
Even though they ultimately lost 3-1 to the first place Warriors of Webber International, the Fire put up a solid fight.
The Warriors (17-1, 7-0) took a 19-15 lead in the first set with a 4-0 run, but the Fire answered back with a 6-1 run, highlighted by one of 14 blocks on the night to take a 21-20 lead. Southeastern had two set points, but were unable to win either, and dropped a 27-25 decision.
The Fire managed just eight kills in the second set during a 25-23 loss, in which, the Fire trailed by as many as six (18-12), but used a late run to close the gap.
The third set saw Southeastern build an early 7-1 lead, with
Kelsey Morton picking up two of her team-high 14 kills during the run. The Fire were able to hold off a late charge by WIU, getting a kill from
Lydia Rooth, who finished with 13, and a block from Uche Kojo and
Lindsey Fleming to take the set.
It was just the second set in conference play the Warriors had dropped this season.
The Fire were able to hold off two set points in the fourth set, but a kill by the Warriors gave them a 25-23 win, registering 14 kills to SEU's 10.
Lindsey Fleming registered 29 assists to lead the team.
Alyssa Prescott had a team-best 19 digs, and was joined in double figures by Morton (16) and Rooth (15).
The Fire return to action on Saturday at Johnson and Wales.
