LAKELAND, Fla.-- The Fire pulled off the upset in a huge conference match against Keiser University by sweeping the Seahawks on Senior Day in the Furnace (25-18, 25-19, 25-18).
In the first set, Southeastern came out of the gates swinging, but the game was knotted at six early. The Fire then used a 5-1 run, fueled by four kills by
Lydia Rooth, as they began to take control of the set. Rooth, the senior out of Raleigh, N.C., recorded six of her 11 kills in the first game. The Fire hitters combined for a .393 hitting percentage, which contributed to a 25-18 first set win.
It wasn't just the seniors who supplied Southeastern with the momentum they needed to beat the Seahawks. Juniors Uche Kojo and
Kaitlin Boyd came alive in the second set, each adding six kills in the game. Kojo finished with ten kills and two and a half blocks, while Boyd added 11 kills with a match-high .421 hitting percentage. After the Fire started the set with an 8-1 run, Keiser stormed back with a run of their own. However, Southeastern stood their ground, causing a 25-19 win, and a commanding 2-0 match lead.
The third set involved more of the same for the Fire. Though Southeastern only outhit the Seahawks .182 to .152 in the set, the Fire were able to pull away using a 5-1 stretch toward the middle of the game. In the end, the Fire closed out the set by a score of 25-18, and prevailed over Keiser 3-0 in the match.
The Fire shut down the Seahawks' attack, holding Keiser's top hitter, Nikki McKown, to only three kills and a -.150 hitting percentage. Southeastern did this by utilizing an effective block throughout the course of the entire match, giving the Fire with vital points at key moments in the contest.
Kelsey Morton led the Fire with four out of SEU's ten total blocks.
Overall, the Fire played with extreme poise and a strong desire to dominate in the match. Senior
Lindsey Fleming had a match-high 30 setting assists to go along with her eight defensive digs and one and a half blocks. On the defensive end, seniors
Abbie Devisfruto and
Alyssa Prescott had ten and 12 digs, respectively. Rooth added 15 digs to the statline.
The Fire will go on the road for their next matchup against Webber International on November 2
nd at 7pm, as they continue their quest for a berth in the Sun Conference tournament.
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