Saint Leo University Athletics

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Saint Leo University volleyball team was in search of its first Sunshine State Conference series season sweep of the season on the road at Florida Tech Friday night. The Lions looked to be on their way to their second win over the Panthers this season with a 25-22 first set victory but the hosts came back to take the second (25-20), third (25-16) and fourth (25-16) sets for the 3-1 victory.
 
The Lions used a balanced attack as five student-athletes all finished between five and seven kills on the night. Freshman Grace Thompson led the way with seven kills, a team-best five blocks, and three digs. Thompson posted two solo blocks to go along with three block assists. Junior Chloe Danielson and freshman Shelby Toney each finished with six kills in the loss. Danielson added four blocks while Toney had nine digs. Junior Gina Stavile and sophomore Alexa Gandolfo each came up with five kills in the contest. Stavile tallied four blocks while Gandolfo picked up three.
 
Freshman setter Jansen Warbritton dished out 25 assists, dug up 10 balls, blocked three attacks, earned two kills and posted a service ace. Junior Mia Moser led the backline with 13 digs while graduate student Giada Solorzano added 11. Moser and sophomore Bridget Gallagher tied for the team lead in service aces with three each.
 
Cordelia Kearns led the Panthers with a match-high 22 kills while Olivia Bush added 16.
 
The loss drops Saint Leo to 5-21 overall and 1-14 in SSC play while the Panthers improved to 7-16 on the year and 4-10 in league action.
 
The Lions will be right back on the court tomorrow afternoon as they travel to nationally-ranked Barry for another SSC contest. The match is set to begin at 4 p.m.