SAINT LEO, Fla. – For the first time in the 2018 season, the Saint Leo volleyball team dropped a match in which it won a set as the Eagles of Embry-Riddle outlasted the Lions 3-1 Saturday afternoon inside the Marion Bowman Activities Center. Saint Leo placed five attackers in double-figures and had eight more kills than the Eagles but it was not enough to remain perfect at home.
 
"This is exactly the kind of battle we expected today," said interim head coach Erik Peterson. "We knew that this team, Embry-Riddle, was going to come in and have a chip on their shoulder. They have been playing some great volleyball, they've been playing some great matches in conference, but they hadn't squeaked one out yet and we knew we would get their best. They came out and executed a great game plan and they scored points when they needed to."
 
Saint Leo (7-7, 4-2 SSC) came out of the gates and took the opening set 25-20 leading wire-to-wire. The second set looked to be going the same way but a late rally by the Eagles turned the Tide and saw Embry-Riddle (9-4, 3-3 SSC) walk away with a 25-20 set victory of its own. The Eagles jumped out to a nine-point lead early in the third set and hung on for a 25-21 victory before making a late run in set number four to take the match 25-22.
 
Junior Nina Vattovaz and sophomore Ashley Quero led the Lion attack with 15 kills each. Vattovaz also had a tremendous game in the back row with a career-high 18 digs for her fourth career double-double. Senior Dallas Jasper chipped in 14 kills on 26 swings while finishing with a team-high .423 hitting percentage.
 
Juniors Victoria Omoregie and Annabella Arcari each finished with 11 kills to round out the double-digit performers.
 
Freshman Cassandra Kamien finished with a double-double as she dished out a career-high 57 assists and dug up 11 balls from her setter position while senior libero Reggie Van Devender led the team with 24 digs. Freshman Arlaina Stephenson also picked up double-figure digs with 12.
 
Embry-Riddle placed four attackers in double-figures led by Sam Lanning who had 15 kills on 26 swings with a .538 hitting percentage.
 
Saint Leo will close out its four-match home stand next weekend as the Lions host Nova Southeastern Friday night at 7 p.m., and nationally-ranked Palm Beach Atlantic Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo 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.