WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Saint Leo volleyball team wrapped up action at the 2021 South Region Crossover inside the Advent Health Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon as the Lions split a pair of matches against Gulf South Conference competition. The Green and Gold opened the day with a 3-1 victory over Lee before falling 3-1 to Montevallo in the second match of the day.
 
The split moves the Lions' record to 9-13 overall while the Flames from Lee fell to 5-14 and the Falcons of Montevallo improved to 12-12.
 
Senior Brooke Turner led the Lions on the day with a team-high 29 kills while also earning three service aces, 17 digs and six blocks. In the win over Lee she led the way wit 18 kills, 6 digs, a service ace and a block. She then had 11 kills, 11 digs, two service aces and three blocks.
 
The Lions came out firing versus the Flames winning the opening two sets 25-20 and 25-16 before falling in the third 25-20. Saint Leo closed out the match with a 25-23 victory in the fourth.
 
Turner led the Lions in the match but sophomore Margaret Schirm had a tremendous match in the middle as she tallied 12 kills on just 20 swings while posting an impressive .550 hitting percentage. She also added a pair of blocks in the victory. Redshirt junior Elizabeth Sandoval added 11 kills, a team-best three service aces and a dig.
 
Redshirt senior setter Anna Garrett had the offense clicking while handing out 48 assists and posting a pair of blocks. Senior libero Payton Bellano controlled the backline with a match-high 25 digs, as she was the lone Lion in double-figures in the category.
 
Versus Montevallo, the Falcons jumped out to the early lead with a 25-21 win in the opening set. The Lions then dominated the second set including taking a 24-10 lead before the Falcons fought off four set points to end the set 25-14. The Falcons went on to capture the third set 25-19 before a tight fourth set went their way 25-23.
 
Sandoval led the Lions in the loss with 14 kills and five digs while Turner added 11 kills and 11 digs. The Lions had it going at the service line as the team tallied 10 aces in the match. Garrett led the way with four including three-straight to open the second set. She also added a team-best 33 assists, 10 digs and three blocks. Bellano chipped in a team-best 15 digs.
 
Sophomore Madelyn Eden led the way at the net versus the Falcons with five total blocks including one solo in the match.
 
The Lions will be back in action this Tuesday, Oct. 26 as they travel to Lakeland, Fla. to take on the Mocs of Florida Southern in a 7 p.m. match. The Mocs defeated the Lions 3-1 at home earlier this season.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo volleyball program, 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.