MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Entering the 2020 season, Florida Memorial University's volleyball team was a confident group – and rightfully so, as the defending Sun Conference champions.
 
But after what the Lions did Saturday, their swagger is has probably reached a new height.
 
Playing with a shorthanded roster, Florida Memorial methodically cut down visiting Southeastern University in a three-set sweep 25-15, 25-15, 25-19 Saturday afternoon in the FMU Wellness Center.
 
The Lions (1-0, 1-0 Sun Conference) had just nine players available for the season-opener, but put on a dominate performance for the 70 socially-distanced fans in attendance.
 
Florida Memorial University head coach Marrita Crockett-Moulton said her team exhibited three key traits Saturday.
 
"Our ladies played with patience, they played smart, and stayed aggressive all at the same time today," Crockett-Moulton said. "We only had nine players, and they did a good job of conserving their energy and remaining focused throughout and we were able to get the sweep."
 
"Winning the way we did today will do so much for their confidence because we did this with half our squad. Going forward, they'll stand even taller because they know reserves are on the way, but they also know that we have what it takes to knock off teams when we're not even at full strength," Crockett-Moulton said.
 
Senior Sammyra Albarran set the tone for FMU, which will travel to face neighborhood and conference rival St. Thomas University this coming Wednesday (Sept. 9), totaling five service aces and 13 kills – letting out aggressive yells after each powerful hit. Sophomore Adriana Soto was right behind Albarran with 12 kills while posting an efficient .346 attack percentage.
 
The Lions took control of the first set right away, opening up a 9-5 lead that eventually ballooned to 18-9 after Azmabeth Infante and Soto combined for a block – allowing FMU to cruise into the 25-15 win.
 
Southeastern, which was ranked as the No. 3 team in the Sun Conference preseason poll behind No. 2 FMU, showed signs of life in the second set – taking a 5-3 lead before clinging to a 11-10 advantage. Florida Memorial then scored the next five points as it outscored the Fire 15-4 the rest of the way to capture the set.
 
The third set followed a similar tenor as the first. FMU took control early on – opening up a 10-6 lead – then just showed it was the superior team on the day, opening up as large as an eight-point lead before completing the sweep with a 25-19 win.
 
Aside from the powerful performance on the court, Crockett-Moulton and her squad made a powerful statement before the start of Saturday's game, too.

Crockett-Moulton requested that the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice, be played prior to the playing of the regular National Anthem. Also, as the Star-Spangled Banner was played; Crockett-Moulton, her coaching staff, and her players all raised a closed left fist in the air.

"With everything that has gone on in 2020, we wanted to make sure that we did – and continue to do – something that brings awareness to the social injustice that continues to go on in the world," Crockett-Moulton said. "We've dedicated our season to that fight and we will continue to make demonstrations like this – not only on [our home court] but also when we go on the road."