SAINT LEO, Fla. – In a much anticipated top-10 showdown, the Saint Leo University women's tennis team was edged 5-4 by No. 10 Nova Southeastern on Sunday afternoon at the Saint Leo Tennis Complex.

The setback pushes the Lions record to 5-2 with a 2-1 tally in Sunshine State Conference action while the visiting Sharks continue their pristine season, returning home with a 6-0 record and a 3-0 mark in SSC play.

The doubles matchups proved to be battle as Saint Leo took the top flight before dropping the second and third court showdowns.  Lions tandem Isabella Robbiani and Maria Benkirane outsed Sabrina Kierberg and Francesca Sella by a 9-7 score.  NSU duo Petra Jurova and Irina Constantinide defeated Gabrielle Paul and Coralie Pesenti (8-2) before Alex Kaeser and Alexandra Johansson defeated Anastasia Wagner and Pauline Helgesson, 9-7.  The Sharks took a 2-1 match lead into singles play.

Beginning singles action, No. 19 Kierberg outdueled Robbiani by 6-3 and 6-0 set scores before Marine Beugre-Guyot swept Johansson by a pair of 6-3 sets to conclude second.  Helgesson battled Carlee Rizzolo to a 6-4 and 6-1 sweep to even the match at 3-3.

Sharks' Constantinide defeated Paula Montoya in straight-sets to earn the advantage for NSU, setting the table for Jurova to defeat Wagner and clinch the Nova Southeastern match victory.

Benkirane took the final court over Sella to conclude the contest with a close 5-4 win for the Sharks.

Saint Leo will continue conference play with a 12pm road match at No. 2 Barry University on Saturday, March 7.

For more information on the Saint Leo women's tennis program, visit SaintLeoLions.com.  Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.