MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.—Southeastern was able to keep pace with top-ranked Missouri Baptist early in the first set, but the Spartans pulled away late to spark a 3-0 victory over the Fire and secure their 33
rd consecutive win.
The first set was tied 10-10 and the Fire (1-2) forced the Spartans to take the first timeout of the match due to three errors by MoBap.
Grace Petty and
Kennedy Jones had two kills each to lead the scoring. However, the script flipped as the Spartans closed the set with a 15-5 run with five MBU points coming on attack errors.
The second set was dominated by the Spartans, recording 18 kills and a .438 attacking percentage against SEU's three kills and -.103 attacking percentage in a 25-10 win.
Southeastern rallied from a three-point third-set deficit to take an 8-7 lead with kills by
Sylvia Liszewski and
Chloe Rhodes, who also chipped in an ace. Three straight points by MoBap gave it a 19-14 lead, but the teams played even over the final 12 rallies with the Spartans taking the set 25-20.
Liszewski had seven kills for the Fire with Jones adding five with no errors for a .278 attacking percentage.
Holly Kaczmarek paced the defense with 18 digs and
Chapel Cunningham was in on three blocks.
Aly Postlethwaite had 15 assists.
The Fire will take on Florida College on Tuesday at 6 p.m. for their home opener at The Furnace.
