SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo beach volleyball team defeated visiting Tusculum 4-1 Thursday before falling to Palm Beach Atlantic by the same score. The victory marked the sixth of the season for the Lions including the second at home.
 
The Lions are now 6-14 in 2020 while the Pioneers of Tusculum fell to 2-8 after losses to both Saint Leo and PBA. The Sailfish earned a pair of victories and walked away with a 10-2 mark.
 
Sophomore Kirsten Kaiser and freshman Skylar Singleton were the lone Lion team to go 2-0 on the day as they picked up the first point of the day in the opening match with the Pioneers at No. 5. The duo won 21-17, 21-15. They then earned the match tying point at 1-1 versus PBA with a 14-22, 22-20, 15-13 come-from-behind victory.
 
Freshman Phoebe Hammond went unbeaten in the exhibition No. 6 match. She teamed up with fellow freshman Morgan Leadens in the opening match winning 21-19, 21-17 and then welcomed classmate Megan Keating to the court in the PBA match. Keating was facing off against her sister Taylor Keating who is a freshman for the Sailfish. Megan was able to get bragging rights with a 21-14, 21-18 victory.
 
Junior Brooke Turner and freshman Marissa Rakauskas gave the Lions a 2-0 lead over the Pioneers with a 21-13, 21-19 victory at No. 4. Redshirt sophomore Anna Garrett and sophomore Payton Bellano clinched the match at 2 with a 21-15, 21-10 win. Junior Nina Vattovaz and sophomore Arlaina Stephenson made it 4-0 in favor of the Lions with a 21-15, 17-21, 15-13 win at No. 1.
 
The Pioneers earned their lone point at No. 3 as freshmen Madi Certain and Michelle Cuervo fell in a tight 21-17, 22-24, 15-11 match.
 
The Lions will be back in action next Thursday, March 19 at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. as they host both Stevenson and the State College of Florida for a tri-match.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on 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.