LAKELAND, Fla. – The Abby Keim era of Saint Leo University volleyball is officially underway as the Lions opened the 2025 season at the Jet's Pizza FSC Volleyball Classic in Lakeland hosted by Florida Southern College. Saint Leo tied the game with a second set victory before the Jaguars of Augusta took the final two sets for a 3-1 win over the Lions.

The Lions finished with 39 kills on the day, junior Molly Chappell led the team with 11 kills, Brielle Kallberg had nine, and Gina Staville finished with eight. Sophomore Kaitlyn Anderson added seven kills. Mia Moser led the team with 21 digs, followed by Tajma Muharemovic with 13, and Sabrina Valentin with 10.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 | Augusta 25, Saint Leo 23
Saint Leo came out battling in the opening frame, trading points in a set that featured seven lead changes and 13 ties. Brielle Kallberg and Molly Chappell sparked the Lions' attack, combining for key kills to keep the set tight. Despite a late push, Augusta capitalized on a pair of Saint Leo errors to edge out the 25-23 win.

Set 2 | Saint Leo 25, Augusta 20
The Lions responded with their most efficient set of the morning, hitting .206 as a team. Gina Stavile made her presence felt at the net with a .438 hitting percentage overall, while Chappell continued to provide steady offense. Setter Tajma Muharemovic distributed the ball effectively, recording double-digit assists in the frame. Saint Leo pulled away late to even the match 1-1 with a 25-20 victory.

Set 3 | Augusta 25, Saint Leo 16
Momentum shifted back to Augusta in the third. The Lions struggled offensively, managing just nine kills to eight errors (.028 hitting). Augusta took advantage, using a balanced attack to build an early lead and never look back. Despite digs from libero Mia Moser, Saint Leo couldn't slow the Jaguars, who claimed the set 25-16.

Set 4 | Augusta 26, Saint Leo 24
The Lions showed resilience in the fourth, battling to extend the match. Kallberg and Kaitlyn Anderson kept Saint Leo within striking distance with timely swings, while Moser's defensive effort (21 digs overall) steadied the back row. The set saw five ties and three lead changes, but Augusta closed the frame on a decisive rally to clinch the match with a 26-24 final. 
 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo is back in Lakeland on Saturday, September 6 for a 2:30 p.m. meeting with the Trojans of Anderson.