LAKELAND, Fla.—The adage of picking oneself off the canvas and fighting back originated in boxing, but
Audrey Goldsberry's volleyball team has done it as well as any fighter.
Despite a tough loss on their home floor to Warner 14 days ago, the Fire came on strong against Webber International last Wednesday at The Furnace.
The Warriors hadn't lost to a Sun Conference team in nearly a year. Southeastern was shorthanded, and it was Fall Break.
None of it mattered. Not even facing double match point in the fifth set.
For the ninth time, the Fire came back from a loss with a win. The Fire have not lost consecutive matches since August of 2017.
Things won't get any easier for Southeastern Wednesday night as it hosts Coastal Georgia, which sits third in The Sun Conference standings, and will be looking to avenge a tough five-set loss to the Fire earlier this season.
The Mariners came out swinging with a 25-15 win, but the Fire answered by taking the second set 25-19. The intensity picked up and CCGA took the third 27-25, but SEU forced the fifth with a 25-23 win. Southeastern took the final set 15-11.
Emily Kalmink and
Emily Boehlein recorded 11 and 10 kills, respectively.
Coastal Georgia has won each of its last three matches, all by 3-1 scores. The Mariners lead the league in kills per set at 13. Setter Ashley Kot has been excellent facilitating the offense, averaging 10.24 assists per set, ranking 12
th in the NAIA.
A win would keep Southeastern's chances at a regular season conference championship alive, while the Mariners are looking to gain some ground on the Fire at a potential first round bye in the conference tournament.
