LAKELAND, Fla. - Coming off of a 1-1 week in conference play, the Fire prepare for three matchups against Florida College, University of St. Francis, and Florida Memorial University. Southeastern will aim to capture a three wins this week as they prepare for their four remaining Sun Conference contests. The Fire have had success against the Falcons and the Lions earlier in the season capturing straight set wins, but have yet to play the Fighting Saints from Illinois.
Game 20: Southeastern University (10-9, The Sun Conference 3-6) at. Florida College (15-8)
Live Video
Live Stats
Game 21: Southeastern University (10-9, The Sun Conference 3-6) vs. University of St. Francis (18-10, CCAA 10-2)
Live Video
Live Stats
Game 22: Southeastern University (10-9, The Sun Conference 3-6) at. Florida Memorial University (2-11, The Sun Conference 2-6)
Live Video
Live Stats
The Historical Fire: Both Alyssa Prescott and Lydia Rooth have made recent history for Southeastern. Prescott is the first player in the program's history to record 1,000 digs and 1,500 assists, while Rooth recorded her 1,000 career kill. In the season thus far, Prescott has tallied a team leading 252 digs and has landed 23 aces. On the other hand, Rooth leads the team in kills with 207 and also aides in the defensive department with 193 digs.
Along with these two, the floor for the Fire is filled with threats. Kelsey Morton and Kaitlin Boyd are two more players that are able to punish points to the floor. Morton is coming off of a week where she landed 22 kills,increasing her season total to 174. Boyd has found the floor with 147 kills and has been apart of 58 blocks at the net.
The middle blocker from Tallahassee is a put back machine at the net. Uche Kojo leads the Sun Conference in blocks with 77 total, 39 of which have been solo. She also has the ability to finish points logging 127 kills.
The Falcons: Coming off of a tight five set win over Ave Maria, the Falcons will play Johnson University before taking on the Fire.
In their win over the Gyrenes, Rachel Tharp was the Falcons' catalyst. The team's captain from Indianapolis, Indiana, led the team with 21 kills, three aces, and 14 digs.
Abigail Hodges also aided in the attacking department against Ave Maria hitting .333 and landing 16 kills.
Rounding off the trio of attackers for the Falcons is the native of Clinton, Utah Madison Britton. Britton landed 13 kills in their win over Ave Maria.
Setting up the attack and aiding on the defensive side of the ball for the Falcons is Baylee Gunter. The junior assisted in 53 points during the match against the Gyrenes and also recorded 24 digs.
The Falcons feature an all-hands-on-deck type of defense. Players all throughout the floor do their best to keep the point alive in order to pass it to one member of the attacking trio.
The Fighting Saints: Affiliated with the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, the St. Francis Fighting Saints will bring a two game losing streak into their match against the Fire. Their two most recent losses have come against the 8th and the 18th ranked teams in the NAIA. The Fighting Saints are headed by coach Cara Currier in her 15th season. Currier ranks 18th among active NAIA coaches with 367 wins.
The Fighting Saints are a well-rounded team that contains a rock solid defensive, as well as, an electric attack. The team as a whole ranks 10th in all of the NAIA in total digs (1868) with Leah Alles leading the charge. Alles alone has recorded 612 digs along with 36 service aces.
Offensively, St. Francis has six players with more than 150 kills. The Fighting Saints rank 14th in all of the NAIA in total kills (1315). Leading the kills department is the senior for Kenosha, Wisconsin Alyssa Bridleman with 279. Along with her kills comes her 74 blocks at the net.
Closely behind Bridleman is Brenna Perinar with 216 kills in the 2016 campaign. Perinar also assists in the blocking duties tallying 46 putbacks on the year.
The Lions: Headed by coach Arasay Guerra, the Lions have been scuffling as of late. Currently on a three game losing streak, the Lions aim to turn their fortune around against the Fire. In their last meeting, Southeastern came out on top in straight sets.
The attacking front for the Lions is led by Jessica Medina, who in the the last match against the Fire, logged 12 kills. Medina's season total is up to 101 and she also leads her team in digs with 121.
Florida Memorial will also spread the ball around the floor to the senior Raquel Laing. The Miami native has converted 95 kills while denying 12 chances at the net.
Setting up the attack is Angelique Lopez. The freshman from Puerto Rico has dished out 255 assists and leads the team with 14 service aces.
Closing Thoughts: The Fire face a few tough challenges this week. As Southeastern looks to continue their dominance over Florida College and Florida Memorial, they face an impressive Illinois team. The Fire aim to take advantage of a Fighting Saints team that has struggled in their last two matches against top ranked opponents. The Fire's blocking front will be very busy this week, and will need be on top of their game in order to thwart a high powered Fighting Saints offense.
For game updates follow @SEUFireVBall on Twitter.
