FMU Hosts Rival Keiser University In Conference Opener Wednesday

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (1-3) vs. Keiser University Seahawks (10-14)
When: Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Where: Florida Memorial, Miami Gardens, Fla. | FMU Wellness Center
First Serve: 7 p.m.
Last Meeting: Sept. 30, 2020, Loss 1-3
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Some rivalries are born out of proximity and some out of familiarity, but the lifeblood of any great rivalry is the on-court battle each time that sparks the competitive embers in all those involved.

So, whenever Florida Memorial University's volleyball program steps on the court to face off against Keiser University, it's the perfect mix of familiarity, proximity, and contempt – with the latest showdown set to take place Wednesday night when the team's meet in each's Sun Conference opener at 7 p.m. in FMU's Wellness Center Arena.

Fans are welcomed to attend what will be the Lions' first home match played on its actual home floor – since their home opener this past week had to be moved to Bunche Park Gym in Miami Gardens due to maintenance in the FMU Wellness Center. Admission is free while fans will be asked to adhere to FMU's health and safety protocols of wearing a face covering.

The game will also be streamed live online and can be viewed free of charge.

Florida Memorial (1-3) put together a strong enough showing this past week, sweeping Edward Waters University 3-0 (25-13, 26-24, 25-18) for the fifth consecutive time, yet still showed signs of the rust that's to be expected of a team that was coming off a more-than-two-week respite.

Still, third-year head coach Marrita Crockett-Moulton and her team flashed the emotion and swagger that has propelled them to winning conference champions – an indoor title in 2019 and a beach volleyball crown in spring 2021 – in two of the past three seasons.

Senior middle blocker Daphinie Correa was a force at the net against the Tigers this past Thursday, senior libero Keisha Santana Roldan is still playing at a "Libero of the Year" caliber level, and graduate senior Sammyra Albarran remains one of – if not – the hardest hitting outside hitters in the conference. But the team's home opener also showed it has quality depth with middle blocker Kimberlie Correa – Daphinie's 6-foot-2 sister – and the setting tandem of Alanis Santana and Agustina Busque.

Keiser University comes into Wednesday's match having the advantage in games played up to this point. The Seahawks (10-14) have already played 24 matches this season, three of which against ranked opponents – all losses. Still, Keiser, which won the Sun Conference regular season and tournament crown in 2020 and was picked as the conference's preseason No. 1 team before the start of the 2021 season, is a talented team that returned more than a handful of players from the 2020 roster.

A Lions victory Wednesday would not only give the team its first conference win of the season and make a statement to the Sun Conference, it would also mark the first time that Florida Memorial defeats Keiser University on its home floor – as the Seahawks have won seven straight matches at FMU.

Follow Florida Memorial University Athletics on social media
Instagram: @GoFMULions/@FMULionsVolleyball | Twitter: @GoFMULions | YouTube: Official FMU Lions

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Players Mentioned

#1 Daphinie Correa: MB; 6' 1"; Senior

#11 Agustina Busque: S; 5' 5"; Junior

#17 Sammyra Albarran: RS/OH; 5' 8"; Graduate Student

#18 Alanis Santana: S; 5' 3"; Senior

#6 Kimberlie Correa: MB; 6' 2"; Junior

#2 Keisha Santana Roldan: LIB/DS; 5' 0"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#1 Daphinie Correa
: 6' 1"; Senior
: MB

#11 Agustina Busque
: 5' 5"; Junior
: S

#17 Sammyra Albarran
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student
: RS/OH

#18 Alanis Santana
: 5' 3"; Senior
: S

#6 Kimberlie Correa
: 6' 2"; Junior
: MB

#2 Keisha Santana Roldan
: 5' 0"; Senior
: LIB/DS

Florida Memorial University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned