WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Saint Leo University volleyball team was handed a heartbreaking defeat by Rollins College, Friday evening. The Tars took the match 3-2 as the Lions forced five sets in the Sunshine State Conference showdown.
With the victory, Rollins improves to 11-5 with a 5-2 showing in SSC contests while the visiting Lions fall to 9-7 with an even 4-4 mark in conference play.
The Green and Gold offense was led by seniors Alexa Griffith-Hardy and Tawni Warren. The tandem swatted 17 and 13 kills, respectively while fellow senior Lauren Campbell terminated 12 balls.
Campbell concluded with a double-double effort, notching 15 digs in the match while reigning SSC Defensive Player of the Week Yaidimar Santiago led both squads with 27. Junior Jillian Stolzenburg posted four blocks to round out the defense.
The Tars built a 4-0 lead in the first set of play. The Lions quickly rebounded behind a series of kills from Griffith-Hardy. The senior terminated five in the first set while outside hitting duo Campbell and Warren each grounded three. Despite a defensive effort from Santiago, Saint Leo was unable to overcome Rollins' offense in the premier frame, dropping the set 25-20.
Saint Leo rebounded in the second bout, taking the set 25-22 over the hosting Tars. Senior Warren stifled Rollins' Shannon McDonough at the net, stopping the freshman's barrage and changing the pace of the second stanza. In addition to the key block, Warren posted five kills in the set to compliment five from Griffith-Hardy.
The Lions carried their momentum into the third frame, taking another close 25-22 set. The Saint Leo defense stymied the swift-swinging McDonough to a cool .240 hitting clip. Sanitago picked up eight kills in the frame while Jillian Stolzenburg and Griffith-Hardy picked up two blocks apiece. Griffith-Hardy continued her offensive barrage, adding four kills.
Rollins battled back in the fourth to a 25-16 win to even the match 2-2. The Lions offense was unable to find a groove despite a strong defensive performance. Libero Santiago continued to show why she leads the conference in digs per set, notching eight in the fourth frame.
The Tars finished the match with a 15-7 fifth set victory built from the momentum of Rollins' freshman Bri Civiero.
The Lions will take part in the Bash at the Beach hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic University, Saturday. Saint Leo will meet No. 5 Wheeling Jesuit in the first contest at 12 p.m. and then follow with a 4 p.m. match against Cedarville. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be made available on www.saintleolions.com courtesy of the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish
For more information on the Saint Leo volleyball program, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Also, be sure to 'Like' the Lions on Facebook and 'Follow' Saint Leo Athletics on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
