LAKELAND, Fla. -- SEU (12-2, 3-1 Sun Conference) heads to Babson Park this week for a pivotal midweek clash with rival Webber International (5-13, 2-2 Sun) on Wednesday, September 24, at 7 p.m. inside the Sabbagh Athletic Center. SEU rides into the matchup on a three-match win streak, bolstered by a perfect 5-0 mark at home, a solid 2-1 record on the road, and a 5-1 tally at neutral sites.
Webber, meanwhile, enters the contest trending upward after a challenging start to the season. The Warriors stand at 5-13 overall but have strung together three consecutive victories to climb back to .500 in league play at 2-2. Webber has found ways to protect home court with a 2-1 record in Babson Park, and the Warriors will look to use that edge against a Southeastern squad that has had their number in recent years.
Follow the Fire
Fans won't miss a moment of Wednesday night's action with multiple ways to stay connected. The match will stream live on the Urban Edge Network app and online at
fire.seu.edu/watchUEN, while real-time updates and statistics will be available at
fire.seu.edu/sidearmstats/wvball.
Stat Showdown
The numbers point to a Southeastern advantage heading into Babson Park. The Fire's offense produces 13.61 kills per set, well ahead of Webber's 10.45, and SEU's .223 hitting percentage nearly doubles the Warriors' .155. SEU also holds the edge in setting (12.8 vs. 9.7 assists per set) and serving (2.09 vs. 1.58 aces per set). On defense, SEU averages 18.5 digs per set compared to Webber's 17.27, though the Warriors have a slight edge at the net with 1.77 blocks per set against SEU's 1.54.
Rivalry Rekindled
The Fire and Warriors have been crossing paths for more than two decades, with Webber International holding a 35-17 advantage in the all-time series. Southeastern, however, has seized momentum in recent years, winning eight of the last ten matchups and carrying a five-match win streak into Wednesday night. Last season, the Fire swept both the home and away meetings before outlasting the Warriors in a five-set battle on Oct. 30.
Stat Streakers
Southeastern continues to shine in both Sun Conference and national rankings. The Fire lead the Sun and sit ninth nationally in kills per set at 13.61, while ranking second in the league and ninth in the NAIA in assists at 12.8 per set. From the line, SEU serves up 2.09 aces per set, good for second in the Sun, and digs at a pace of 18.5 per set, the second-best mark in the league and 11th nationally. With a hitting percentage of .223, SEU sits third in the Sun and 24th in the NAIA, while producing 17.2 points per set for second in the league and 21st nationally. The only area where SEU trails is blocks, ranking fifth in the Sun at 1.54 per set, but their balance everywhere else has made them one of the conference's most complete squads.
Bonomi Business
Laura Bonomi has been the engine of the Fire offense, racking up 190 kills (4.13 per set) to lead the Sun Conference. She has posted double-digit kills in 13 of 14 matches, highlighted by a season-high 19 against Grace on Aug. 22, back-to-back 18-kill efforts versus Mobile and Stillman, and a 15-kill, 19-dig performance in the Sun sweep at Keiser. Bonomi has also hammered 36 service aces, including seven in a single match against Reinhardt, and added 173 digs, making her one of the most complete players in the league.
Lopez Locked In
Yarelis Lopez has been a steady scoring presence on the outside, racking up 146 kills (3.22 per set) to sit fourth in the Sun. She's delivered some of her best outings in key moments, including a 17-kill, 19-dig night against Grace and 15 kills on .419 hitting against Florida College. Lopez also adds impact beyond her swing with 21 aces and 174 digs.
Digging Deep
Senior libero
Marysa Connors continues to anchor the back row, leading the Fire with 228 digs (5.16 per set) to rank fifth in the Sun. She's logged double-digit digs in nearly every match, highlighted by 29 against Reinhardt and 23 versus Grace. Connors was named the Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 22, recognition for her steadying presence and leadership in the Fire's defensive unit.
Speerheading the Offense
Sophomore setter
Haven Speer has been the architect of SEU's attack, piling up 317 assists (6.93 per set) while also contributing in multiple areas. She's topped 30 assists on several occasions, including 40 in the win over Grace, and has added 18 kills on a .341 hitting percentage. With 78 digs and five aces also to her name, Speer has proven herself to be more than just a distributor.
Ceroni's Wall
Middle blocker
Lucrezia Ceroni has been a defensive force, recording 29 blocks (0.66 per set) alongside 49 kills on the season. Her best showing came against Ave Maria when she hit .462 with seven kills and four blocks. With strong outings against Reinhardt and Florida College as well, Ceroni continues to give the Fire a stabilizing presence in the middle.
Carling the Anchor
Jewel Carling has been a reliable producer up front, posting 67 kills (.272 hitting percentage) while matching Ceroni with 29 blocks on the season. She delivered a season-high eight blocks and 14 points against Reinhardt, and an .875 hitting percentage versus Florida National.
Flames on the Horizon
Wednesday's road test marks the beginning of an important stretch for Southeastern in Sun Conference play. The Fire return to The Furnace on October 1 for a 6:30 p.m. showdown with Warner, then face one of their toughest challenges of the year when #13 St. Thomas visits Lakeland on October 4 at 2 p.m. With two home matches in four days, SEU will look to defend its perfect home record and solidify its place near the top of the league standings.
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