LAKELAND, Fla.—The Fire volleyball team looks to improve their conference record this week as they take on Keiser University at home before going on the road to clash with Ave Maria.
Southeastern sits at 9-5 (1-2 TSC) and is coming off of back-to-back home games, the last of which was a five-set battle with St. Thomas University, who was picked to finish second in the Sun Conference Preseason Poll. Though the Fire fell short in the contest, senior middle blocker
Kaitlin Boyd emerged as the top threat on both sides of the ball. In her last two matches, the Lakeland native has combined for 35 kills and a .491 hitting percentage, which included a career-high 21 kills in the competition against St. Thomas. Boyd also registered a career-high six blocks in the 3-0 sweep of Warner, the Fire's first regular season win against the Royals in three years.
On Wednesday, the Fire will play Keiser University in a home match. Keiser comes into their competition with the Fire at 4-11 (1-1 TSC) so far this season. The Seahawks started conference play with a 3-0 win against Johnson & Wales before dropping a three set contest to Webber.
Senior Amanda Medlock and freshman Abbie Seward lead Keiser's attack with 110 and 103 kills, respectively. Medlock has tallied double-digit kill totals in five of the Seahawks' matches, while Seward has done so in four, three in which she also recorded at least ten digs. In the sweep of Johnson & Wales, the freshman killed 11 attack attempts with a .476 hitting percentage.
After the match versus Keiser, the Fire will head to Ave Maria to take on the Gyrenes on Friday. Ave Maria, who beat Johnson & Wales 3-1 in their only conference game thus far, has a 1-5 record through their first six games.
Natalie Rosinski and Samantha Stanton both impressed offensively in the Gyrenes' victory against the Wildcats. Rosinski tallied eight kills, while Stanton registered ten kills in the match. In the same contest, junior setter Lauren Ruby assisted on a career-high 35 kills. Look for this trio to contribute on offense.
First serve for both matches is scheduled for 7 p.m.
