SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo University volleyball took on the Nova Southeastern Sharks in its final match of the weekend. Saint Leo battled throughout the match and gained momentum late but fell 3-0 to Nova Southeastern. Sabrina Valentin and Paula Perez Rosales each tallied eight kills, while Giada Solorzano led the defense with 13 digs and Tajma Muharemovic added nine assists and three kills on .600 hitting. The Green & Gold fall to 1-10 overall and 0-6 in SSC play. 

Saint Leo hit .078 as a team with 26 kills and 18 errors on 103 attempts in a 3-0 loss to Nova Southeastern. Sabrina Valentin and Paula Perez Rosales each tallied eight kills to lead the Lions, while Jala Drayton hit .222 with two kills and two block assists. Setter Tajma Muharemovic recorded nine assists, three kills on .600 hitting, and two block assists. Brielle Kallberg added four kills and a solo block, and Giada Solorzano anchored the defense with a team-high 13 digs.
 
How It Happened: NOVA SOUTHEASTERN 3, SAINT LEO 0
Set 1 | Nova Southeastern 25, Saint Leo 19
Saint Leo started with energy and traded points early, highlighted by kills from Perez Rosales and Kallberg to keep the set close at 12-11. Nova Southeastern used a small run to pull ahead, but the Lions fought back behind Valentin's offense and Muharemovic's balanced setting. The Sharks held on late for a 25-19 decision in the opening frame.
 
Set 2 | Nova Southeastern 25, Saint Leo 15
The second set remained tight through the early stages as Drayton and Perez Rosales provided offensive sparks. Solorzano continued to steady the back row, keeping rallies alive with several key digs. Nova Southeastern found its rhythm late in the set, closing with a strong offensive stretch to take a 2-0 match lead.
 
Set 3 | Nova Southeastern 25, Saint Leo 21
The Lions responded with their best set of the afternoon, hitting .270 as a team while showing improved rhythm offensively. Valentin and Perez Rosales combined for 11 kills in the frame, and Kallberg added timely points at the net. Muharemovic connected efficiently with her hitters, and Saint Leo led 19-18 before a late surge sealed the match for the visitors.

Inside the Numbers

• Saint Leo hit .078 as a team compared to Nova Southeastern's .204.
• Sabrina Valentin and Paula Perez Rosales each recorded eight kills.
• Jala Drayton hit .222 with two block assists.
• Tajma Muharemovic added nine assists, three kills on .600 hitting, and two block assists.
• Brielle Kallberg tallied four kills and one solo block.
• Giada Solorzano led the defense with 13 digs.
• The Lions hit .270 in the third set, their best offensive frame of the match.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo is back on the road next weekend at Rollins (Oct. 16), and at Eckerd (Oct. 18). First serve in Winter Park is set for 7 p.m., while the first serve in St. Petersburg is scheduled for 4 p.m.