SAINT LEO, Fla. – In search of its third-straight win at home Saturday afternoon, the Saint Leo volleyball team fell to the visiting Barry Buccaneers 3-1 after winning the opening set in dominating fashion, 25-16. The Buccaneers made a change at setter following the opening set and were able to turn the tide of the match after winning a close second set and cruising in the final two sets.
 
The loss drops the Lions' record to 11-16 on the season including 5-11 in Sunshine State Conference play. The Buccaneers improved to 13-11 overall and 6-11 in league action.
 
The Lions placed three hitters in double-figures as they once again had a balanced attack with five Lions finishing with eight of more kills. Senior Brooke Turner led the attack with a team-best 11 kills on 31 swings while posting a .290 hitting percentage from the outside. She added a team-high three service aces along with eight digs and three blocks.
 
Freshman Colby Stempkowski and junior Madi Certain each finished with 10 kills in the match. Stempkowski used just 16 swings to achieve her double-digit number while hitting a team-best .562. Redshirt junior Elizabeth Sandoval and sophomore Margaret Schirm each finished with eight kills in the match. Schirm earned a team-best six blocks in the match including one solo stop as well.
 
Senior setter Anna Garrett handed out 39 assists while digging up nine balls. She also assisted on three blocks. Junior Skylar Singleton added two more service aces to her season total while also digging up 11 balls to finish second on the team behind senior libero Payton Bellano who tallied 12 digs in the loss.
 
The Lions fell behind early in the first set 10-6, but a 9-2 run by the Green and Gold swung the momentum in the other direction. Saint Leo held its lead the rest of the stanza before a service ace by Turner ended the set 25-16.
 
Following the opening set loss, the Buccaneers inserted Bianca Pasca at setter which turned around Barry's fortunes. Pasca took full advantage of her 5-11 height as she snuck down eight kills against the Lions on just 12 attempts while also dishing out 35 assists over the final three sets. Her favorite target became Djuly Schmorantz who led the match with 20 kills while also digging up 23 balls to finish just one behind her libero who had 24.
 
The Buccaneers used a 6-1 run late in the second set to pull away 20-15 and picked up the match tying victory a few points later at 25-22. The third set was all Buccaneers as the Lions struggled to find any sort of offensive rhythm as Barry pulled away early and held on for a 25-13 win. The fourth set saw the Bucs open up an 11-6 lead over the opening half of the set and they would hold that lead the rest of the way for a 25-19 victory.
 
The win by the Buccaneers evened the season series at one win a piece as both programs won on each other's home courts.  
 
The Lions will return to action Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. as the Embry-Riddle Eagles visit the Marion Bowman Activities Center in the fourth of five-straight home matches for the Lions.
 
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.