SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo University volleyball team returned to the court on Saturday afternoon to take on the Embry-Riddle Eagles in a Sunshine State Conference showdown in the Marion Bowman Activities Center. The Eagles proved to be a little much for the Lions as the visitors took early command of all three sets in a 3-0 loss for the home team. Saint Leo battled through a quick three-set match against Embry-Riddle, led by Paula Perez Rosales with eight kills and six digs. Setter Tajma Muharemovic added 16 assists and six digs, while Kaitlyn Anderson hit 1.000 with two kills in limited action.
 
Saint Leo hit -.042 as a team with 20 kills and 24 errors on 95 attempts in a 3-0 loss to Embry-Riddle. Perez Rosales led the Lions with eight kills and six digs, while Sabrina Valentin added four kills. Muharemovic paced the offense with 16 assists and six digs, and Camila Villar chipped in one ace with three digs. Anderson made an efficient impact off the bench, recording two kills on two attempts, and Alexa Gandolfo added two kills and three digs. Mia Moser led the back row with six digs, and Giada Solorzano added three.
 
How It Happened: EMBRY-RIDDLE 3, SAINT LEO 0
Set 1 | Embry-Riddle 25, Saint Leo 10
Embry-Riddle jumped out early, but Saint Leo fought to settle in behind kills from Perez Rosales and Valentin. Muharemovic connected with several hitters across the front row, but the Eagles' .364 hitting percentage gave them control of the opening frame.
 
Set 2 | Embry-Riddle 25, Saint Leo 18
The Lions showed their best rhythm of the match in the second set, closing the gap late behind Perez Rosales' steady attack and Muharemovic's balanced setting. Moser and Solorzano provided key digs on long rallies to help keep the set tight before Embry-Riddle used a short run to close it out.
 
Set 3 | Embry-Riddle 25, Saint Leo 10
Embry-Riddle regained momentum early in the final set, but Saint Leo continued to battle as Anderson went a perfect 2-for-2 on swings and Gandolfo added a pair of kills. Despite the loss, the Lions showed depth and energy across the rotation, with several bench players contributing offensively. 
 
Inside the Numbers

• Team hitting percentage: Saint Leo -.042, Embry-Riddle .307.
• Kill leaders: Perez Rosales 8, Valentin 4; 2 - Gandolfo, Anderson.
• Assists: Muharemovic 16, Villar 1.
• Digs: 6 - Moser, Perez Rosales, Muharemovic; 5 - Chappell.
• Anderson hit 1.000 (2-for-2) in limited swings.
• The Lions' best offensive frame came in set two, where they closed within seven points late.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo hits the road next week beginning with a Tuesday match up in Lakeland at Florida Southern College. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.