Fire Maintain Focus for Final Home Tests

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Southeastern University volleyball team returns home to The Furnace for its final two regular-season home matches, riding a 10-match winning streak and a 19-2 overall record. The Fire remain perfect at home (8-0) and sit 9-1 in Sun Conference play as they look to continue their dominant form heading into the postseason stretch.

Senior Day takes place Saturday at 2 p.m. when SEU hosts Keiser University. The Seahawks enter at 10-10 overall and 5-6 in league play, aiming to challenge a Fire squad that swept them earlier this season in West Palm Beach. Southeastern will celebrate its senior class in front of the home crowd while seeking a season sweep of its conference rival.

The Fire close out the week Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Webber International. The Warriors, 8-18 overall and 3-7 in conference play, have won two straight and will look to slow down a red-hot SEU team. Fans can watch both matches live on the Urban Edge Network app or at fire.seu.edu/watchUEN, with live stats available at fire.seu.edu/sidearmstats/wvball/summary.

Numbers That Spark
SEU continues to rank among the NAIA's best across several statistical categories, showcasing one of the nation's most balanced lineups. The Fire average 13.15 kills per set, ranking 22nd nationally, while hitting .212 to sit 35th. The offense runs efficiently behind 12.43 assists per set, good for 17th in the country, and the team adds 1.96 aces per set. 

Defensively, SEU ranks eighth nationally in digs per set at 18.88, reflecting their ability to extend rallies and control tempo.

Fortress in the Furnace
The Fire have transformed The Furnace into one of the premier home-court advantages in the NAIA. After a winless home campaign in 2020, Southeastern has since built a fortress in Lakeland, posting a dominant 43-6 record on its home floor. This season, the Fire are a perfect 8-0 at home and have dropped just one home match since the start of 2023, winning 21 of their last 22 in front of their fans.

The Complete Flame
Laura Bonomi has been the centerpiece of Southeastern's offense and one of the most complete players in the NAIA this season. The senior outside hitter leads the Fire with 303 kills (4.21 per set) while hitting an impressive .289, ranking among the most efficient scorers in the Sun Conference. Last week, Bonomi made program history by earning both Sun Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors, capping a stretch that included her 15th double-double of the year. Her all-around play—45 aces, 283 digs, and 19 total blocks—continues to set the tone for Southeastern's success.

Reliable Firepower
Yarelis Lopez provides the perfect complement on the outside, bringing a heavy arm and relentless energy to the Fire attack. Lopez has registered 231 kills (3.21 per set) and adds a strong defensive presence with 269 digs, showing her versatility on both ends of the floor. She's also posted 10 double-doubles this season and ranks among the conference's top five in service aces per set at 0.39.

The Floor General
Haven Speer has orchestrated the Southeastern offense with poise and precision all season long. The sophomore setter has amassed 463 assists (6.43 per set), efficiently spreading the ball among multiple attackers to keep opposing defenses guessing. In addition to her setting duties, Speer has added 22 kills, 11 aces, and 127 digs, demonstrating her all-around impact on the court. 

Defensive Anchor
Marysa Connors has anchored the Fire defense as the team's primary libero, ranking fifth in the Sun Conference with 4.83 digs per set. Her quickness, anticipation, and reliable serve receive have stabilized SEU's back row, fueling its transition game and limiting opponent scoring runs. Connors has also contributed 14 aces while maintaining one of the most consistent passing rates in the league, giving the Fire a steady foundation on every rally.

Wall at the Net
Lucrezia Ceroni has been the Fire's most dominant presence at the net, leading the team with 55 total blocks (0.79 per set) and ranking fourth in the Sun Conference. The senior middle blocker combines athleticism and timing to consistently alter opposing attacks while also contributing 76 kills on a .171 hitting percentage. 

Eye on the Seahawks
Keiser enters the matchup at 10-10 overall and 5-6 in Sun Conference play, looking to build momentum after a straight-set win over Webber International. The Seahawks have shown balance on both sides of the ball, averaging 12.4 kills per set while hitting .163 as a team and ranking among the league's top five in digs per set at 18.5. Setter Mallory Dills anchors the offense with 665 assists (10.08 per set), while outside hitter Cece Worsham leads the attack with 183 kills. Defensively, libero Faith Marquis ranks third in the Sun with 5.38 digs per set, providing steady play in the back row.

The Fire and Seahawks renew one of the Sun Conference's most competitive rivalries, with Southeastern holding a 23-17 edge in the all-time series. SEU has been dominant at home, going 13-4 in Lakeland, and enters Saturday having won two straight and seven of the last ten overall. The Fire have surged in recent years, claiming five of the last six matchups, including a 3-0 sweep in West Palm Beach earlier this season.

Polk County Rivalry
Webber International enters the week at 8-18 overall and 3-7 in Sun Conference play, riding a two-match win streak after straight-set victories over Trinity College of Florida and Florida National. The Warriors have found recent rhythm on both ends, averaging 10.6 kills and 17.3 digs per set while leading the Sun in blocking at 1.86 per set. Outside hitter Kaylee Hunt headlines the offense with 278 kills (3.02 per set), while libero Alejandra Aponte leads the league with 5.65 digs per set.

The Fire and Warriors will meet for the 54th time in a series that dates back to 2001, with Southeastern holding a 35-18 advantage. The Fire have been especially strong of late, winning six straight and eight of the last ten against their Polk County rivals. SEU has gone 10-14 at home in the series but has dominated the recent stretch regardless of venue, including a 3-0 sweep in Babson Park earlier this season.

Road to the Finish
Southeastern closes the regular season on the road with two key Sun Conference contests. The Fire will travel to Warner on Wednesday, November 5, for a 7 p.m. first serve in Lake Wales before finishing at St. Thomas on Saturday, November 8, at 2 p.m. in Miami Gardens.