SAINT LEO, Fla. – Friday evening, the Saint Leo University volleyball opened the first of its back-to-back weekend series against Embry-Riddle. The Lions showed grit in the match despite the a 3-0 loss to the Eagles. Sabrina Valentin led the Lions in kills and digs. The Green & Gold fall to 1-7 overall and 0-3 in SSC play. 

Valentin led Saint Leo with four kills and added a team best eight digs to pace the team. Molly Chappell had three kills, followed by Jayla Drayton and Kaitlyn Anderson with two kills each. Valentin and Tajma Muharemovic combined for 16 of Saint Leo's 40 digs on the night.

How It Happened: Embry-Riddle 3, Saint Leo 0
Set 1 | Embry-Riddle 25, Saint Leo 10
Embry-Riddle jumped out to 13-3 lead to keep Saint Leo under pressure throughout the first set. The Lions had bright spots with kills from Drayton and Valentin. Muharemovic set up several strong swings, but the Eagles capitalized on a .314 hitting percentage to take the opener 25-10.

Set 2 | Embry-Riddle 25, Saint Leo 12
The Lions settled in with their most efficient set, keeping pace early behind Anderson and Valentin. Muharemovic added an ace and distributed well, while Chappell chipped in two kills. Embry-Riddle continued to apply pressure offensively, pulling away down the stretch for a 25-12 result.

Set 3 | Embry-Riddle 25, Saint Leo 8
Valentin and Anderson tallied late kills, and Mia Moser held steady in the back row, but Saint Leo was held to a negative hitting percentage in the final frame. The Eagles controlled the tempo throughout, closing the match with a 25-8 decision.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Team hitting percentage: Saint Leo -.044, Embry-Riddle .351
• Kill leaders: Valentin 7, Anderson 4, Drayton 3, Chappell 3
• Assists: Muharemovic 14 with 1 ace
• Defense: Moser 6 digs, Valentin 6 digs, Chappell 4 digs
• Blocks: Chappell and Valentin recorded 1 each; Drayton and Muharemovic added block assists
• Saint Leo's best hitting set was the second at .031 

 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo is back in action tomorrow evening with a stop at Florida Tech. First serve for the Lions and Panthers is set for 4 p.m. from Melbourne, Fla.