ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Saint Leo University volleyball team traveled to St. Petersburg, Fla. Friday for the opening day of the Lions / Tritons Invitational co-hosted by Saint Leo and Eckerd. The Lions opened the day with a 3-0 sweep of Franklin Pierce before falling in a tough 3-1 match against Henderson State. All of Saturday's action will take place inside Marion Bowman Activities Center on the campus of Saint Leo with the opening match scheduled for 10 a.m.
The split moves the Lions' record to 3-6 on the year with one non-conference match remaining on the schedule.
Saint Leo took down Franklin Pierce in straight sets winning 25-17, 25-14, 26-24. Freshman
Reagan Lyerla led the way offensively with 11 kills while also leading the team with 12 digs representing her fourth double-double of the year. The rookie also tied for the team lead in service aces with two. Sophomore
Alexa Gandolfo and junior
Mina Kostic finished with eight kills each in the victory. Kostic added a team-high six blocks including one solo while Gandolfo chipped in three blocks as well. The junior was nearly perfect as she collected her eight kills on just 11 swings for an impressive .727 hitting percentage. Junior
Gina Stavile also had a strong hitting day as she posted five kills on just nine swings for a .556 hitting percentage.
Freshman
Jansen Warbritton dished out 28 assists while adding a team-high tying two service aces. She also tallied three kills and four digs. Junior
Mia Moser held down the backline with 11 digs while adding an ace.
The team hit for a season-best .330 in the match while holding Franklin Pierce to a .121 mark including just .070 in the final set.
The Reddies of Henderson State jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Lions in the nightcap as they took the opening two sets 25-21 and 25-14. The Lions battled back in the third, taking a 25-20 victory. The fourth and final set was a close battle but the Reddies held on for a 25-22 victory.
Freshman
Shelby Toney led the way in the loss as she had 11 kills, six digs and a service ace. Kostic and Lyerla added 10 kills a piece. Lyerla claimed four service aces and seven digs while Kostic picked up three more blocks including two solo.
Graduate student
Giada Solorzano led the backline with a career-high 17 digs while Warbritton earned another double-double with 28 assists and 15 digs. She once again tallied three kills as well.
The Lions will be back in action tomorrow afternoon as they open the home portion of their schedule with a 2:30 p.m. match against Georgia College and State University.
