ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Saint Leo University beach volleyball team dropped both of its contests on the first day of the 2024 Battle of the Bay tournament hosted by Eckerd College at the Baker Beach Complex. The Lions fell 4-1 in the opening match to Jacksonville before dropping a 3-2 decision to Palm Beach Atlantic to close out the day.

Saint Leo fell to 4-2 on the season.

The Lions number three pair of Ignacia Cortinez and Emma Miller picked up Saint Leo's only win over Jacksonville winning the first set 21-12 and outlasting the Dolphins, 21-19 in the second set. Aliya Fredette-Huffman and Jeanette Henderson tied the match at 1-1 with a 21-15 set two victory. The Lions number one pair went the distance against the Dolphins as they fell 17-15 in the final set.

Saint Leo earned wins at number one and four against Palm Beach Atlantic to end the first day on Baker Beach. Fredette-Huffman and Henderson went to a third and deciding set with the Sailfish's number one pair winning 15-13.

Jacksonville 4, Saint Leo 1

1. Anna Erickson/Olivia Szyszkiewicz (JU) def. A. Fredette-Huffman/Jeanette Henderson (SLU) 19-21, 21-15, 17-15
2. Emily Kubicsko/Jenna McNamara (JU) def. Julia Panko/Kayla David (SLU) 21-17, 21-13
3. Ignacia Cortinez/Emma Miller (SLU) def. Katie Martinez/Meredith Mrukowski (JU) 21-12, 21-19
4. Claire Mrukowski/Kristina Nika (JU) def. Emma Laade/LeeAnn Potter (SLU) 21-14, 21-13
5. Miller Reames/Skye Tiedmann (JU) def. Brenna Reinhard/Clare Flanagan (SLU) 23-21, 21-13

Ext. Hayden Garnett/Rachel Hess (JU) def. Amanda Doherty/Erin Johnson (SLU) 21-16, 19-21, 15-7

Saint Leo 3, Palm Beach Atlantic 2

1. A. Fredette-Huffman/Jeanette Henderson (SLU) def. Gabriella Aziz/Anna Dunbar (PBA) 21-19, 21-23, 15-13
2. Eva Herz/Lola Ackman (PBA) def. Julia Panko/Kayla David (SLU) 14-21, 23-21, 15-13
3. Katelyn Nadeau/Karla Cantero (PBA) def. Emma Miller/Ignacia Cortinez (SLU) 21-18, 21-16
4. Clare Flanagan/Emma Laade (SLU) def. Abigail Mason/Oda Homme (PBA) 21-17, 19-21, 15-13
5. Abby Plevin/Julia Golichowski (PBA) def. Amanda Doherty/Brenna Reinhard (SLU) 24-22, 16-21, 15-10

Ext. Erin Johnson/LeeAnn Potter (SLU) def. Annika Huhtamaki/Julia Norville (PBA) 21-16, 14-21, 20-18

UP NEXT
The Lions are back for day two of the Battle of the Bay on Saturday as they take on Missouri State (2 p.m.) and the host Eckerd (4 p.m.) to close out the tournament. Saint Leo's match with Eckerd will be streamed on the SSC Digital Network.