SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Saint Leo University volleyball team opened the final week of its 2025 season hosting the top-ranked University of Tampa Spartans on Tuesday night. Despite getting off to a slow start the Lions made it a competitive match as the final set was back and forth throughout. Saint Leo showed stretches of strong execution against Tampa, highlighted by improved offensive rhythm in the final set of an otherwise challenging 3–0 match. Molly Chappell led the Lions with eight kills, while Mia Moser added seven digs and a service ace.
 
Saint Leo finished with 22 kills, 21 errors, and 99 attempts for a .010 hitting percentage. Chappell led the attack with eight kills on 26 swings, followed by Gina Stavile with five kills and Kaitlyn Anderson with two. Paula Perez Rosales added one kill, two digs, and a block assist in two sets, while Sabrina Valentin contributed four kills and six digs. Setter Tajma Muharemovic recorded 11 assists and four digs, and Camila Villar added six assists, five digs, and two service errors. Moser anchored the back row with seven digs and an ace, while freshman Emma LeTourneau contributed one kill and two errors on six swings.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: #1 TAMPA 3, SAINT LEO 0
Set 1 | Tampa 25, Saint Leo 8
The top-ranked Spartans opened with a dominant .303 hitting performance, racing to an early advantage. Chappell and Stavile each found the floor for Saint Leo, but Tampa's early block pressure and clean side-out efficiency pushed the Lions into a deep deficit.
 
Set 2 | Tampa 25, Saint Leo 12
Saint Leo responded with better ball control and steadier passing, allowing the Lions to produce six kills on a positive hitting percentage. Valentin sparked the offense with a pair of early kills, while Chappell continued to find opportunities on the right side. Despite improved rhythm, Tampa's .571 hitting clip in the set proved too much to overcome.
 
Set 3 | Tampa 25, Saint Leo 19
The Lions delivered their best volleyball of the night in the final set, battling point-for-point in a competitive frame that featured long rallies and aggressive swings from both sides. Chappell tallied five kills in the set, Anderson added a pair of key points, and Moser's digging kept the Lions within reach at 17–15. Tampa ultimately closed the set with a late 5–2 surge, but Saint Leo's energy, pace, and execution made the frame the most competitive of the match.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Team hitting percentage: .010 (22 kills, 21 errors, 99 attempts).
• Best set: Set 3 (.111 hitting, 10 kills).
• Molly Chappell: 8 kills, 4 digs, 1 block assist.
• Gina Stavile: 5 kills, 4 errors, 21 attempts.
• Sabrina Valentin: 4 kills, 6 digs.
• Kaitlyn Anderson: 2 kills, .250 hitting.
• Paula Perez Rosales: 1 kill, 2 digs, 1 block assist.
• Tajma Muharemovic: 11 assists, 4 digs.
• Camila Villar: 6 assists, 5 digs.
• Mia Moser: 7 digs, 1 ace.
• Emma LeTourneau: 1 kill, 2 errors on 6 swings.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo's homestand continues this weekend with the final two games of the season. The Lions will host #4 Barry (Nov. 21 - 6 p.m.) before ending the seasoning hosting the reigning national champions, Lynn (Nov. 22 - 4 p.m.).