SAINT LEO, Fla. – Despite a 3-0 loss to the No. 1 ranked University of Tampa, Saint Leo University volleyball senior Yaidimar Santiago broke the single-season digs record of 549 with a 14-dig showing against the top-ranked team in the nation.
The Lions dip to 18-9 overall with a 7-5 mark in Sunshine State Conference matchups while the Spartans improve to 23-1 and a pristine 11-0 conference tally.
Santiago's flagship season continues as the defensive dynamo broke the single-season digs mark, reaching 554 after notching 14 against the top offense in NCAA Division II. The previous mark of 549 was set by the Cataño, P.R. native during her junior season. The libero leads the conference in digs-per-set with a 5.60 and sits 19th in the nation.
The offense was led by Tawni Warren, as the senior grounded eight kills at a .467 attack clip. Senior Alexa Griffith-Hardy mirrored with eight kills to her credit. Outside hitter Lauren Campbell tallied six kills in addition to 12 digs to compliment the 14-digs showing from Santiago.
Tampa was led by outside hitter Berkley Whaley, who drilled 15 kills across the match. Right side hitter Marissa Lisenbee smacked 13 while middle blocker Jessica Wagner reached 10 kills. Setter Kahley Patrick led the defense with 16 digs while tuning the offense with 46 assists.
The Lions dropped a hard-fought first set 28-26 as the Spartans came away with a close win. Saint Leo hit .342 as a team in the first set as Griffith-Hardy produced a near-perfect 5-for-6 offensive attack in the first set. Warren blasted four kills while Campbell held the defensive tempo with seven digs. The Green and Gold was on the verge of victory at 24-22 as a Tampa timeout swung the match in favor of the Spartans.
The Spartans turned a 25-21 second set win as Megan Heffron provided the offensive spark for UT. The junior swatted five kills in her first set of action. Libero Santiago stopped seven attacks from the back row as Britt Sederholm totaled five kills for the Saint Leo offense.
Tampa took the match by a 25-15 score in the final set, using the swing of Whaley to rally to a straight set win. The junior unloaded five kills as the Saint Leo offense could not regain footing with their backs against the wall.
The Lions will head to West Palm Beach, Fla., to face familiar foe Palm Beach Atlantic University for a Thursday night matchup. Game time is set for a 7 p.m. start in the Rubin Arena. Live stats will be made available through www.saintleolions.com.
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.
