SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo beach volleyball team moved to 4-0 at home Thursday afternoon as the Lions defeated both Stevenson and Florida Southern on the courts. The Lions were without a No. 5 team due to illness but the Lions managed to overcome the deficit to defeat Stevenson 4-1 and Florida Southern 3-2.
 
Junior Amber Lake and sophomore Nina Vattovaz led the way at No. 1 as they went 2-0 on the day. Against the Mustangs of Stevenson they won their match 21-11, 21-18 and then versus the Mocs they won a thrilling 21-16, 32-30 match. The second set went back-and-forth with the Florida Southern pair as it took 22 extra points to decide a winner.
 
Junior Beka Wachob and sophomore Brooke Turner went 2-0 for the Lions at No. 2. They won a three-set thriller in the opening match 13-21, 21-12, 15-9 before downing their FSC opponents 21-16, 21-10.
 
Freshmen Anilise Fitzi and Payton Bellano kept it rolling at No. 3 with a 21-14, 21-14 victory versus Stevenson and a 21-11, 21-12 win over the Mocs.
 
Freshman Arlaina Stephenson and sophomore Annabella Arcari went 1-1 with a 21-7, 21-18 victory versus the Mustangs and a hard fought 21-16, 19-21, 17-15 defeat versus Florida Southern.
 
Fitzi and Bellano now lead the Lions with a 6-8 record on the year while Lake and Vattovaz follow in a close second at 5-9.
 
The Lions are now 6-8 on the season while the Mustangs fell to 3-5 and the Mocs dropped to 4-8.
 
The Lions will be back in action Saturday, Match 30 with a doubleheader against Eckerd starting at 10 a.m.
 
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.