TAMPA, Fla. – The Saint Leo University beach volleyball team improved to 4-0 on Friday with a pair of 5-0 victories on the first day of the Sandy Spartan Showdown hosted at the University of Tampa. The Lions earned wins over Barry and Mercer. 

The Lions took eight of ten courts in two sets including a clean sweep of the Buccaneers in the opening match of the day. The three's pair of Tajma Muharemovic and Madison Moore made easy work of their Barry opponent taking the first set 21-13 and earning the match clinching point with a 21-5 victory in the second set. Paige Reeves and Caitlyn Kemer also held their opponent to single digits with a 21-8 victory in the opening set.

In the second match of the day, the Lions took down Division I's Mercer for Saint Leo's fourth 5-0 victory of the season. The Green & Gold clinched the match with three straight two set victories on courts five, four, and one. Saint Leo rallied on the final two courts to win in three sets. Muharemovic and Moore saw the Bears force a third set but that was no problem for the Lion's number three pair taking the third set, 15-4. After dropping the first set, 20-22, Emma Laade and Abby VanBuskirk rallied to force a third set with a 21-17 victory in the second set. The final set needed extra points, ultimately ending with a 17-15 win for Laade and VanBuskirk.

GAME 1: SAINT LEO 5, BARRY 0
1. Thalie Brossard/Anna Intagliata (SLU) def. Isabella Rangel/Ava Ross (BU); 21-12, 21-17
2. Emma Laade/Abby VanBuskirk (SLU) def. Isabella Marquez/Alexandra Santory (BU); 21-14, 21-12
3. Tajma Muharemovic/Madison Moore (SLU) def. Marina Azevedo/Alexis Hansen (BU); 21-13, 21-5
4. Erin Johnson/Paula Perez Rosales (SLU) def. Adrienne Saunders/Danielle Hansen (BU); 21-17, 21-15
5. Paige Reeves/Caitlyn Kemer (SLU) def. Alyssa Talcott/Rafaella Bardagi (BU); 21-8, 20-16
6. Kelsey Swart/Abrie Green (SLU) vs. Sophia Custodio/Ellie Madrigal (BU); 21-16, 20-22 SPUT
 
MATCH NOTES
Order of finish: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
 
GAME 2: SAINT LEO 5, MERCER 0
1. Thalie Brossard/Anna Intagliata (SLU) def. Kristi Talock/Jordyn Thomas-Warren (MER); 21-14, 21-12
2. Emma Laade/Abby VanBuskirk (SLU) def. Grace Rothburn/Hollis Engel (MER); 20-22, 21-17, 17-15
3. Tajma Muharemovic/Madison Moore (SLU) def. Brianna Adams/Bryanna Marks-Craig (MER); 21-19, 14-21, 15-4
4. Erin Johnson/Paula Perez Rosales (SLU) def. Carly Lenhardt/Katy Dalton (MER); 21-13, 21-17
5. Paige Reeves/Caitlyn Kemer (SLU) def. Cyleigh Sayler/Giselle Estrada (MER); 21-14, 23-21
6. Abrie Green/Josie Villarreal (SLU) def. Caiden Johnston/Alayna Shrodes (MER); 21-14, 21-14
 
MATCH NOTES
Order of finish: 5, 4, 1, 3, 2
 
UP NEXT
The Lions return to Tampa on Saturday for the second day of the Sandy Spartan Showdown to take on Mercer at 11 a.m. and the host Tampa at 3:30 p.m.