SAINT LEO, Fla. – Coming into Friday night's volleyball match inside the Marion Bowman Activities Center it looked as though the Lynn University Fighting Knights would walk away with a perfect 5-0 Sunshine State Conference mark and a 12-1 overall record but the Lions of Saint Leo University had another ending in mind as they swept the Knights out of the gym 3-0. Saint Leo played from behind in every set but when the points mattered most it was the Lions who had the upper hand.
 
The win pushes the Lions' record to 10-4 on the year and 4-2 in Sunshine State Conference play. The Knights fall to 11-2 overall and 4-1 in league play.
 
Tied 20-20 late in the opening set the Lions scored three quick points off of a kill by senior Annabella Arcari and back-to-back service aces by Fabiola Rosado.  The Knights were able to get a point following a timeout but a kill from senior Victoria Omoregie gave the Lions set point at 24-21. Lynn fought off a pair of set points until a kill by senior Nina Vattovaz ended the set 25-23.
 
The second set was another close affair. The Lions led 23-22 late in the period when a solo block by Omoregie gave the Lions their first set point of the period at 24-22. Once again Lynn fought off a set point but it was once again a kill by Vattovaz that ended the period 25-23.
 
The third set saw the Lions pull away late and force match point at 24-19. Lynn was able to fight off the loss for one point but it was junior Michelle Cuervo who ended the Knights' night as she put down a kill which secured the 25-20 victory. The ending was fitting as it was Cuervo's first collegiate match against her younger sister Melanie Cuervo who is a first year setter for the Knights.
 
Vattovaz led the Lions with 14 kills, nine digs and a block. Senior Anilise Fitzi posted 13 kills on 23 swings with no errors for a .565 attack percentage. She also had one block assist. Cuervo posted 10 kills in the victory to go along with two blocks.
 
Redshirt junior setter Anna Garrett dished out 36 assists in the match while digging up 11 balls. Sophomore libero Payton Bellano needed just three sets to dig up 23 balls and dish out five assists. Arcari led the team in blocks with five total including one solo stop.
 
Lynn was led by Siena Kelley amd Sonja Udovcic who each had 10 kills in the loss.
 
Saint Leo will return to action tomorrow, Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. as the Lions host Nova Southeastern in another SSC match.   
 
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.