BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University beach volleyball won their third consecutive conference match on Saturday afternoon, winning four of five matches in a 4-1 victory over the Fire of Southeastern University. Saturday's affair was a neutral site contest, played at the sand courts on the Webber International University campus. The Gyrenes moved to 3-1 in Sun Conference play with the win, and secured a spot in The Sun Conference Tournament.

All four of Ave Maria's victories came in straight sets, as the Gyrenes claimed victories in spots two through five. Cabriella Bouterse and Miah Pena earned their victory at the number two position, defeating SEU's Jordyn Stiger and Brooke Henry, 21-15, 21-15. The number three pair of Alejandra Suarez and Katie O'Donnell picked up a dominant win over Keniah Rivera Santiago and Jessica Hidden, 21-4, 21-11.

At the number four position, Victoria Schein and Lily Grasso rolled to a 21-10 win in the opening set against Emily Eurice and Brilynn Hallman, then battled to a 21-18 victory in the second set to earn the sweep. The most decisive win of the day was provided by freshmen Zelie Kessler and Reina Thomas, who won at the number five slot. Kessler and Thomas won their opening set against Julia Alves and Taylor Ward, 21-9, then demolished the Fire pair 21-5 in the final set. 

The only match of the day to go a full three sets was the match at the number one position. Southeastern's Courtney Krause and Katie Chillura took the opening set from AMU's Flavia Rusterholz and Katie Grose, but the Gyrene duo fought back to force a third set. Southeastern earned their only point of the afternoon with a 15-10 win in the decisive set.

Ave Maria's final conference match of the season comes on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, when the Gyrenes take on the Lions of Florida Memorial University. That match will likely determine the number two seed in The Sun Conference Tournament, with the 3-1 Gyrenes battling the 2-1 Lions. Opening serve at Florida Memorial is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.