SAINT LEO, Fla. – Recording her 1000th career kill on senior night, Tawni Warren led the Saint Leo University volleyball team to a 3-1 victory over Rollins College, Saturday evening. The senior blasted 10 kills in her final home game donning the Green and Gold.
The Lions conclude the regular season with a 19-13 record and an even 8-8 tally in Sunshine State Conference matchups while the visiting Tars finish 16-15 and 8-8 in conference.
Senior Lauren Campbell pummeled the Tars for 15 kills while junior Jillian Stolzenburg grounded nine at a torrid .450 attack percentage. Senior Alexa Griffith-Hardy and sophomore Hope Lemon each delivered a six-kill salvo.
Setter Ashlee Hodgskin tuned the offense to a .265 team attack percentage with 34 assists. The junior turned a double-double performance, notching 11 digs while also serving three aces.
The defense was led by another senior, libero Yaidimar Santiago. Santiago tallied 23 digs on the match, setting her single-season record to 665. Campbell notched 12 digs to compliment her fellow senior. The Lions blocked nine attacks across the four-set match, as Warren, Stolzenburg and freshman Naomi Mack each had a hand in three blocks.
Rollins turned to freshman Shannon McDonough for an offensive spark, as the right side hitter blasted 14 kills for the Tars. RC Senior Jessica Wilson terminated seven kills and also stopped six at the net, as the middle blocker had a hand in each of the teams six blocks.
The Lions built momentum in the first set after trading blows with the Tars. The Green and Gold pulled ahead behind the serve of Stolzenburg as Campbell delivered six kills in the premier set of play. Saint Leo took the first set by a 25-13 score.
Rollins rebounded in the second frame behind McDonough, as the freshman unloaded five kills in the second set. The Tars would not surrender a lead in the second set, taking the frame 25-18 and knotting the match at 1-1.
Stolzenburg got the Lions off to a quick start in the third stanza, as back-to-back kills earned Saint Leo a 6-0 lead. Hodgskin's tough serve allowed the Lions to capitalize on an off-balance Tars offense. The lead ballooned to 12-2 before Rollins returned to form, battling back to 13-11 before the Green and Gold pulled away to a 25-20 win.
Warren caught fire in her final set at the Marion Bowman Activities Center, as the right side/outside hitter dismantled the Tars with seven kills at a blistering .500 clip. Stolzenburg added three kills as the Lions took the final set 25-11 to defeat Rollins on senior night.
The Saint Leo volleyball team awaits the NCAA Division II Selection Show on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 10 p.m. for postseason selections.
To stay up to date with the women's volleyball program, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Also, be sure to 'Like' the Lions on Facebook, and 'Follow' Saint Leo Athletics on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
