TAMPA, Fla. – The Saint Leo University beach volleyball team earned a split of its matches on Saturday. The Lions opened the day with a 4-1 win over the Mercer Bears before falling 5-0 to the host Tampa Spartans on the second day of the Sandy Spartan Showdown. Saint Leo now sits at 5-1 overall heading into next week's home opener.

The Lions opened the day with a 4-1 win over Mercer looking to earn a second straight victory over the Bears. After earning wins by the four and five pairs, Mercer earned its first win over the Lions with a win by the number two pair. Tajma Muharemovic and Madison Moore needed a third set to earn the clinching point for the Green & Gold winning 15-11 in the final set. After dropping the second set, Thalie Brossard and Anna Intagliata claimed the final set 15-7 to complete the 4-1 victory.

The second match of the day saw the Spartans take all five courts in two sets. Emma Laade and Abby VanBuskirk put up a fight in the first set before falling 23-21.

GAME 1: SIANT LEO 4, MERCER 1
1. Thalie Brossard/Anna Intagliata (SLU) def. Jordyn Thomas-Warren/Hollis Engel (MER); 25-23, 20-22, 15-7
2. Kristi Talocka/Grace Rothburn (MER) def. Emma Laade/Abby VanBuskirk (SLU); 21-15, 21-16
3. Tajma Muharemovic/Madison Moore (SLU) def. Carly Lenhardt/Maddie Lee (MER); 21-15, 18-21, 15-11
4. Erin Johnson/Paula Perez Rosales (SLU) def. Cyleigh Sayler/Finley Kenney (MER); 21-17, 21-8
5. Paige Reeves/Caitlyn Kemer (SLU) def. Maggie Forsyth/Katy Dalton (MER); 25-23, 21-18
 
MATCH NOTES
Order of finish: 4, 5, 2, 3, 1
 
GAME 2: TAMPA 5, SAINT LEO 0
1. Nevaeh Wolfe/Hailey Wolfe (UT) def. Thalie Brossard/Anna Intagliata (SLU); 21-12, 21-12
2. Lauren Duke/Jordan Berglin (UT) def. Emma Laade/Abby VanBuskirk (SLU) 23-21, 21-17
3. Ka Fredette-Huffman/Hailey Peterson (UT) def. Tajma Muharemovic/Madison Moore (SLU) 21-14, 21-13
4. Tess Schrenger/Angel Williams (UT) def. Erin Johnson/Paula Perez Rosales (SLU); 21-17, 21-17
5. Madison Hankins/Lauren Cook (UT) def. Paige Reeves/Caitlyn Kemer (SLU); 21-7, 21-16
 
MATCH NOTES
Order of finish: 5, 4, 3, 1, 2
 
UP NEXT
The Lions are set to make their home debut next Friday with a tri-meet against Florida Southern and Barry on February 27. Saint Leo will take on Barry at noon and FSC at 4 p.m. Barry and Florida Southern will take on each other at 2 p.m.