MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Saint Leo volleyball team concluded its three-game road trip with a 3-0 lost to Florida Tech on Saturday afternoon in Sunshine State Conference (SSC) action. With the loss, the Lions drop to 4-9 with a 0-5 mark in conference play. Meanwhile, the Panthers improve to 11-5 overall with a 5-2 record in SSC play.

The Panthers opened the first set with a 9-2 lead. Florida Tech rode its momentum to a 25-9 victory.

In the second frame, a service error from the Panthers followed by a kill from senior Sheila Rodriguez trimmed the Lions' deficit to 5-3 before Florida Tech executed a 12-3 run as it commanded a 17-6 cushion. A kill from senior Oliwia Durka followed by an attack error from the Panthers pulled the Green and Gold within single digits, 17-8. The Lions were held at bay for the remainder of the set as Florida Tech won 25-12.

As the Panthers led by a 21-12 margin in the third frame, Saint Leo fought back with a 6-2 run. The stretch was ignited by a block from junior Brielle Kallberg and Rodriguez while  was capped off by an attack error off Florida Tech. However, the Panthers captured the next two points for a 25-18 victory in the set.

Sophomore Molly Chappell tallied three kills and hit at a .286 clip. Durka finished the match with five kills while freshman Madison Moore also notched a trio of kills. Junior Tajma Muharemovic dished out 10 assists while senior Sophia Leon-Tabor accounted for six assists. Defensively, Muharemovic notched nine digs and junior Anyaliz Rodriguez controlled the net with four total blocks. Leon-Tabor and junior Giada Solorzano each earned five digs.  

Saint Leo returns to the court on Tuesday, October 22 as it hosts Tampa in a conference bout, starting at 7 p.m.