TAVARES, Fla. – Saint Leo Beach Volleyball dropped all three matchups Saturday at the Hickory Point Beach for day one of the AVCA Small College Beach Championships. The Lions will look to bounce back Sunday morning with a match against fifth-seeded Lincoln Memorial.
 
The Lions dropped both matchups in pool play against Spring Hill and Eckerd 4-1 before falling to third-seed Tampa in Championship play, 4-1.
 
Saint Leo saw Jamee Townsend and Brooke Turner go 2-1 on the day with wins over Spring Hill and Eckerd at the no. 2 flight. Despite going 1-2 on the day, Anna Garrett and Jenya Kruglova posted the lone point for the Green and Gold against Tampa to close out the first day of action.
 
The Lions battled hard all day taking eight flights to three sets, including two of their three wins. Townsend and Turner defeated the Badgers in three, while Garrett and Kruglova topped the Spartans in three as well.
 
Spring Hill College 4, Saint Leo 1
1. Payton Gidney/Julie Vujnovich (SPRSVB) def. Anna Garrett/Jenya Kruglova (SLBVB) 21-13, 21-16
2. Jamee Townsend/Brooke Turner (SLBVB) def. Brittany Bilotti/Sarah Senft (SPRSVB) 17-21, 21-14, 15-12
3. Caroline Herrera/Allison Weimer (SPRSVB) def. Reggie Van Devender/Nina Vattovaz (SLBVB) 21-14, 19-21, 16-14
4. Taylor Hurst/Catherine Milwee (SPRSVB) def. Paloma Da Silva/Britt Sederholm (SLBVB) 21-16, 21-18
5. Emmarose Neibert/Emily Sullivan (SPRSVB) def. Allie Daul/Annabella Arcari (SLBVB) 21-16, 21-10
 
Eckerd College 4, Saint Leo 1
1. Paula Hoffmann/Kaitlyn Sibson (EC) def. Anna Garrett/Jenya Kruglova (SLBVB) 23-21, 21-16
2. Brooke Turner/Jamee Townsend (SLBVB) def. Savanna Cary/Mackenzie Redner (EC) 21-15, 21-18
3. Arielle Erillo/Madison Whiting (EC) def. Reggie Van Devender/Nina Vattovaz (SLBVB) 21-17, 16-21, 15-9
4. Rachel Cornatzer/Jordan Duffy (EC) def. Paloma Da Silva/Britt Sederholm (SLBVB) 23-21, 15-21, 15-6
5. Kali Boatwright/Stephanie Bogda (EC) def. Allie Daul/Annabella Arcari (SLBVB) 21-10, 21-9
 
Tampa 4, Saint Leo 1
1. Anna Garrett/Jenya Kruglova (SLBVB) def. Melissa Elias/Sorrel Houghton (UT) 25-23, 15-21, 15-8
2. Gabbi Pacatte/Katie McKiel (UT) def. Jamee Townsend/Brooke Turner (SLBVB) 21-23, 21-11, 15-5
3. Leigh Buttner/Nicole Dominguez (UT) def. Reggie Van Devender/Nina Vattovaz (SLBVB) 21-17, 21-15
4. Nylah Demps/Taylor George (UT) def. Paloma Da Silva/Britt Sederholm (SLBVB) 21-14, 17-21, 15-7
5. Alexandra Misca/Sarah Moore (UT) def. Allie Daul/Annabella Arcari (SLBVB) 21-14, 21-16
 
April 7 Championships Bracket Play
Seeds – TAMK (1), Eckerd (2), Tampa (3), Spring Hill (4), Lincoln Memorial (5), Saint Leo (6), Florida Southern (7)
 
4pm -  #2 Eckerd def. #7 Florida Southern, 5-0 // #3 Tampa def. #6 Saint Leo, 4-1 // #4 Spring Hill def. #5 Lincoln Memorial, 5-0
 
April 8 Championship Bracket Play
10 am – Semifinals (#1 TAMK vs #4 Spring Hill) // Semifinals (#3 Tampa vs #2 Eckerd) // Consolation Bracket (4#5 Lincoln Memorial vs #6 Saint Leo)
 
12 pm – Consolation Bracket (#5 Lincoln Memorial vs #7 Florida Southern)
 
1 pm – AVCA DII Finals // AVCA DII Third Place // Consolation Bracket (#6 Saint Leo vs #7 Florida Southern)
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo beach volleyball be sure to 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.