SAINT LEO, Fla. – For the fifth time this season the Saint Leo volleyball team fell in five sets as the Barry Buccaneers upended the Lions at home 3-2. Saint Leo won the first and fourth sets but the Buccaneers came on strong in the fifth to claim the victory.
 
The loss drops Saint Leo into a tie with Barry in the Sunshine State Conference standings but the Buccaneers hold the tiebreaker due to the regular season sweep of the Lions. Saint Leo is now 17-7 overall and 8-5 in league play while the Buccaneers are 15-9 and 8-5 in conference.
 
Three Lions reached double-figures in kills led by senior Nina Vattovaz's 15. Vattovaz also had 14 digs to pick up another double-double. Senior Victoria Omoregie chipped in 11 kills while senior Anilise Fitzi added 10. Fitzi also had a team-best five blocks including one solo stop.
 
Redshirt junior Anna Garrett dished out 36 assists and had 14 digs for another double-double on the year. She also chipped in five kills and a pair of blocks. Sophomore libero Payton Bellano led the team with 17 digs while also passing out nine assists.
 
The Buccaneers had four players reach double-figures as Megi Buvinic led the way with 16 kills and 16 digs.
 
The Lions opened the match with a 25-21 victory in the opening set before dropping the second and third sets 25-19 and 25-16. The Lions responded in the fourth with a 25-17 victory but the fifth set was all Bucs as Barry won 15-9.
 
Saint Leo will quick;ly turnaround for a home match with Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Lions defeated PBA 3-1 on the road earlier this season.  
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on 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.