LAKELAND, Fla. — The Ave Maria Volleyball team took an early lead Saturday afternoon against the Southeastern Fire, winning the first set. However, Southeastern took the next three sets to win the match 3-1.

In the opening frame, the Gyrenes won their seventh set in a row, dating back to their 3-1 win over the Webber Warriors. Ave Maria led the whole way, winning the first three points and cruising from there.

Southeastern may have recorded more kills in the first set, but it was sloppy play from the Fire that gave Ave Maria the frame. Ten errors from the Fire kept the Gyrenes in front. It was an attack error as well on set point that secured the frame for the Gyrenes. Beatriz Rissi led the team with three kills in the frame. Elle Malczewski had the lone ace in the set for either team.

The second set was the closest of the four Saturday afternoon. The Fire got out to a five-point lead at 17-12, but Ave Maria stormed back. Starting with a DeAnna Barrett kill, the Gyrenes went on a 6-0 run to take an 18-17 lead. After a Southeastern timeout, the two teams traded two and three-point runs. The Fire got to match point at 24-22, but a service error kept the Gyrenes in for another point. Unfortunately, Southeastern clinched the set on the next point.

The third and fourth sets were when Southeastern started to pull away. The Fire cleaned up their attack errors, going from 18 in the first two frames, to five in the last two frames. The Gyrenes also had trouble stringing runs together as Southeastern won the final two sets 25-12 and 25-15.

Rissi led the team with 14 kills, her sixth time being in double-digits this season. Rissi also led the team with five block assists. Caroline Myers was the leading setter with 24 assists. She also recorded her third double-double of the season with 12 digs as well. Ines Lopes led the team defensively with 23 digs. Malczewski and Myers each had an ace behind the line.

With the loss, Ave Maria falls to 3-15 on the year and 3-6 in conference play.

The Gyrenes are back in action Saturday, October 26, against the Warner Royals. It will be there first match home since October 5, with back-to-back home matches being postponed by Hurricane Milton. The game will be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.