2007 season outlook

The 2007 recruiting year was very good for Coach Terry Thomas and the Lady Fire volleyball team. Although the team lost two All-Americans in Brooke Braly and Darla Sechrest, they still have two All-Americans returning for their senior seasons.

Stacy Troyer is the team captain and has been a three-year starter as a setter for SEU. She is also the school's all-time leader in assists.

"In all my years of coaching, Stacy easily ranks in the top five players that I have coached in terms of heart and hustle," said Coach Thomas after coaching Troyer for just one season.

Sarah Maus returns for her senior season after having a breakout junior campaign. Maus set a school record with 1,185 digs last year, her stat good for No.1 in the nation. Maus was named a Second Team All-American for her performance in 2006.

The Fire volleyball team has gone coast to coast to build the 2007 team. Players have come from California, Kansas, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and Florida.

"We had a couple of great hitters last season but that wasn’t enough," added Thomas. “This year we have added height, speed, scrappers, jumpers, and playing experience along with a strong stable of hitters."

Last season, the volleyball team won half of its matches against NAIA scholarship programs.

This season, the team will play in six tournaments, including trips to Iowa, Alabama, and North Carolina besides the three tournaments in Florida.

Four of these tournaments are against the scholarship teams.

“First of all, it is our heartfelt intention and desire to represent ourselves and Southeastern University with excellence in these tournaments," commented Thomas on why he schedules so many tough non-region opponents. "Secondly, it is a biblical pattern as demonstrated by David the shepherd boy. When David fought Goliath, he ‘played up.’ We are just following his example and we are ‘playing up.’”

The Lady Fire will open its season on August 21 versus Florida Memorial College in Babson Park, Fla.

SEU's first home match will be versus Florida College on August 28.

“I am very excited about the caliber of our players as people," explained Coach Thomas. "Remember, if you can’t serve, you can’t win. In volleyball or in life.”