LAKELAND, Fla.—The Fire volleyball team will host a conference tournament contest for just the third time since joining the league in 2009 on Tuesday when it entertains Ave Maria at 7 p.m.
Southeastern is the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament, going 11-5 in league play. This marks the third straight year the Fire have finished in the top three of the conference.
Last week saw the regular season come to an end with a 3-0 win at home over Warner and a 3-1 loss on the road to Keiser, which clinched the first regular season title for the Seahawks in program history.
The Fire got a boost from junior
Courtney Krause, who contributed in just about every way last week. Krause had 21 kills, which was the second most on the roster and an average of three per set. She also had 29 digs, two blocks, an assist, and an ace in seven sets.
Taylor Gregory was the top offensive threat with 23 total kills and a .354 success rate. On defense, the senior had six blocks.
Emily Boehlein added eight blocks as the Fire totaled 17 on the week and held opponents to a .199 attacking percentage against.
Southeastern and Ave Maria split their two regular season meetings with each team winning on the road. On September 18
th, Ave Maria won in five sets after the Fire came up with a 25-23 win in the fourth. SEU came away with a three-set victory on October 23
rd at Ave Maria, thanks to a big night from Boehlein and
Emily Kalmink.
Boehlein totaled 14 kills and was in on five blocks as Kalmink had 10 kills. In the first match, that tandem combined for 27 kills and both hit over .350.
In eight sets against the Fire, Madelyn Haut totaled 31 kills. Against conference opponents this season, Haut is hitting .314 and averages just over three kills per set.
First serve is at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at The Furnace.
Tickets are available for advance purchase.
