DeLAND, Fla. – The Saint Leo beach volleyball team wrapped up play at the Stetson Spring Fling Saturday as the Lions brought home their first victory of the season, a 4-1 defeat of Eckerd. The Lions played a pair of matches on the day including the win over Eckerd and a 5-0 loss to 13^th-ranked Georgia State.
 
Saint Leo opened the day at 8 a.m. against Eckerd and quickly jumped ahead 2-0 in the match due to the Tritons inability to field a full squad. Eckerd was forced to forfeit both the No. 4 and No. 5 matches to the Lions. The Tritons cut the deficit to 2-1 after taking home the No. 1 match 21-15, 21-19. Saint Leo clinched the match at No. 3 as freshmen Payton Bellano and Anilise Fitzi downed their foes 21-16, 21-16.
 
The most competitive match of the day came at No. 2 as Nina Vattovaz and Amber Lake found themselves in a battle. The Lions dropped the opening set 21-17 before storming back and winning the second set 21-15 and the third 15-10.
 
#13 Georgia State swept the Lions in the second match of the day. Annabella Arcari and Sam Bogdan dropped the first set of their No. 5 match 21-19 while Bellano and Fitzi fell in their second set 21-19 at No. 3. Those two sets were the closest the Lions came to pulling off an upset.
 
The Lions will next head to Jacksonville Beach, Fla. March 1-2 for the UNF Invitational. Saint Leo will play three matches on day one before taking part in a pairs tournament on day two.  
 
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.