BRADENTON, Fla. - No. 23 New College of Florida volleyball returns home Wednesday as the Mighty Banyans host No. 15 Southeastern in Sun Conference play at 4:15 p.m. at Bradenton Christian School.
NCF enters the match at 14-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play after rallying from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Ave Maria in five sets Saturday. Southeastern enters at 13-4 overall and 7-1 in conference play.
Wednesday will be the second meeting between the teams this season. Southeastern won the first matchup in four sets in Lakeland and holds a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series.
IMPORTANT LINKS
LIVESTREAM
LIVE STATS
TICKETS
MATCH NOTES
ANOTHER SHOT AT THE FIRE
NCF fell to Southeastern in four sets in the first meeting this season, with the Fire winning 22-25, 39-37, 25-19 and 25-22.
The Mighty Banyans took the opening set before Southeastern prevailed in a marathon second frame that required 39 points to decide. The Fire then claimed the final two sets to finish the match.
Soraya Nacero recorded 28 digs for New College. Wednesday gives the Mighty Banyans an opportunity to split the regular-season series.
NACERO ADDS A NEW HONOR
Nacero was named Sun Conference Defender of the Week after recording an NCF career-high 36 digs and two assisted blocks in Saturday's victory at Ave Maria.
The outside hitter helped the Mighty Banyans rally from a 2-1 deficit to win the final two sets and complete the regular-season sweep of the Gyrenes. She also contributed four service aces.
It is Nacero's first career Defender of the Week award. She previously earned Attacker of the Week recognition once earlier this season and once last season, giving her three career Sun Conference weekly honors.
A COMEBACK TO BUILD ON
NCF secured its sixth conference victory Saturday by taking the final two sets at Ave Maria.
Freshman Stephanie Harrison recorded a career high in kills, providing an offensive lift alongside Nacero's career-best defensive performance.
The victory gave New College a second win over the Gyrenes this season after taking the first meeting in four sets at Bradenton Christian School.
NATIONALLY RANKED TEAMS MEET
Wednesday marks New College's first home match since earning the first national ranking in program history. The Mighty Banyans are No. 23 in the latest NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
NCF was also No. 18 in the NAIA's Oct. 6 Ratings Percentage Index with an RPI of .625.
The Mighty Banyans are one of three Sun Conference programs in the national poll, joining No. 10 St. Thomas and No. 15 Southeastern.
CONFERENCE POSITIONING AT STAKE
New College enters Wednesday with a 6-2 Sun Conference record, one conference victory behind Southeastern at 7-1.
A victory would bring the Mighty Banyans even with the Fire in conference wins and give both teams two league losses.
NCF will look to build on Saturday's road victory while facing Southeastern for the final time in the regular season.
PRODUCTION THROUGH THE LINEUP
Wiktoria Telecka leads New College with 305 kills and averages 4.30 kills per set.
Addison Phillippe has distributed 638 assists, averaging 9.38 per set, while Khalia Horta leads the Mighty Banyans with 309 digs and averages 4.35 per set.
Nacero has contributed 202 kills, 210 digs, 53 service aces and 14 blocks. She averages 3.11 kills and 3.23 digs per set while hitting .220.
Through 18 matches and 71 sets, NCF has totaled 863 kills, 815 assists, 1,033 digs and 126 blocks. The Mighty Banyans are hitting .211 and have produced 206 service aces, averaging 2.90 per set.
KNOW THE OPPONENT: SOUTHEASTERN
2026 Record: 13-4, 7-1
Record vs. NCF All-Time: Southeastern leads, 4-2
Last Match: 3-0 victory over Florida Memorial on Oct. 10
Key Player: Laura Bonomi (262 kills)
UP NEXT: NCF travels to Florida Memorial on Saturday, Oct. 17, for a Sun Conference match at 2 p.m.
