Lady Flames Volleyball finding unexpected mid-season spark

In a season that has been anything but smooth, the Lady Flames volleyball team has found its second wind. 

After starting the year 2-14, and 0-4 in conference play, the team has won three-straight Gulf South Conference matches. Their winning streak places them firmly in the race for the conference tournament this November. 

“We talked about being patient and putting in the work and the wins would come,” interim head coach Silvia Beauzille told Lee’s athletic communications. 

The wins have started to come — three in six days. 

In their 3-1 victory over Valdosta State on Oct. 1, freshman education major Sophia Lippert led the Lady Flames to victory. Lippert had a career-high of 12 kills on the night.

The next day against West Georgia, the Lady Flames were dominant in their 3-0 victory over the Wolves. 

This time, experience was evident. It was junior psychology major Ashton Middleton who stepped up to the plate. The setter had 24 assists, 11 digs, and six service aces. Middleton’s six aces are the most in one game for a Lady Flame this season.

“Something we have emphasized as a team is believing as a team,” Middleton told Lee’s Athletic Communications. “(We are) believing that we do have the right to come out here and win.” 

Tuesday night, Oct. 4, against Valdosta State, the Lady Flames won an exciting five-set-thriller to increase the win streak to three. Senior communication major Hannah Upton points out the stark contrast between the start to the season and this newfound spark. 

“Right now, as a team, we’re just on a major high,” Upton told Lee Clarion. “We were discouraged with our start to conference play, but we have rallied back and we’re ready to keep it going this weekend.”

“Rallying back” is an accurate depiction of the Lady Flames’ turnaround. 

They are playing for and with one another, and the results on the court are a direct product of the shift in their perspective. 

The volleyball team’s next home game will be on Oct. 11 against Young Harris in Walker Arena.