Beach Volleyball Returns to the Sand After Promising Start in 2020

LAKELAND, Fla.- The Southeastern University women's beach volleyball team looks to expand on what was an all-too short but promising 2020 campaign.
 
In the first year of beach volleyball being a recognized Sun Conference sport in 2020, the Fire saw their season cut short after just three contests due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SEU did manage to go a perfect 3-0 in those games, defeating Florida Memorial 3-2, St. Thomas 5-0, and Ave Maria 4-1.
 
"I, along with the team, are grateful and excited to be back in the sand this semester," shared SEU head coach Audrey Goldsberry. "We are thankful that we have the opportunity to play and hoping to pick up where we left off last spring."
 
The Fire were voted to finish third in The Sun Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, tying for the position with Ave Maria. This season's team features nine returners and three newcomers to the program.
 
On the returning side, the duo of senior Courtney Krause and sophomore Katie Chillura were listed among The Sun Conference Duos to Watch in the preseason. Both individuals competed for SEU last season with different partners.
 
Krause was 2-1 in 2020 and was also named the inaugural TSC Beach Volleyball Champion of Character. Chillura was a perfect 3-0 last year, earning a share of the first-ever TSC Beach Volleyball Duo of the Week. Krause and Chillura are anticipated to play top-line for SEU this season.
 
At the second line, the duo of junior Jordyn Stiger and sophomore Brooke Henry are anticipated to compete. Stiger was 3-0 last season, while Henry, a newcomer, who transferred in from the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, where she was a member of both the indoor and beach programs.
 
At the third line, sophomores Emily Eurice and Baylee Warneke look to hold it down. Eurice went 3-0 in the shortened 2020 campaign, while Warneke competed for the Fire back in 2019 during the indoor season.
 
Graduate student Keniah Rivera Santiago and sophomore Jessica Hidden are the No. 4 listed duo for Coach Goldsberry. Rivera Santiago was also undefeated last season, while Hidden did not compete during the short year in 2020.
 
A pair of freshmen look to make their mark at the fifth line for Southeastern in Julia Alves and Taylor Ward. Alves competed for SEU in the fall during indoor. Ward joins the program after completing her high school career at Real Life Christian Academy in Clermont.
 
Finally, freshmen Brilynn Hallman and Madalyn Gaeta are set to compete at the No. 6 position. Hallman was a part of the program during the fall indoor season. Gaeta, the graduate of Warner Christian Academy in South Daytona, brings experience in both beach and indoor volleyball.
 
"I am excited that this team is young and eager to learn the techniques of beach." commented Coach Goldsberry. "They are coachable and energetic and always looking for opportunities to get out on the sand."
 
The Fire open their season tomorrow morning Miami Gardens on the campus of St. Thomas University, where they will face Florida Memorial at 9:30 a.m. and St. Thomas at 11:00 a.m.