The Saint Leo University Volleyball team could replicate the same success they had the previous day, as the Lions fell to #2 Washburn 3-1 before being upset by University of Montevallo 3-0 Saturday at Paul Dana Walker Arena.
#2 Washburn 3, Saint Leo 1
Senior Skylar Singleton recorded 21 assists for the Green & Gold (4-4) as Senior Ally-Reese Williams and Redshirt Senior Elizabeth Sandoval each recorded 11 kills in the match. Freshman Isabella Velazquez led the team with two service aces.
Saint Leo felt the “‘Burn” of the Ichabods (7-0) in the opening set, as the Lions could only manage eight points. The Green & Gold regrouped quickly for the second set, building a 12-6 lead before Washburn responded with an 8-2 run to tie the set at 14 apiece. The Lions rebuilt the lead, scoring five of the next six points that would be enough to remain atop for the rest of the frame and pick up a 25-21 win.
The Green & Gold would take advantage of a slow Washburn start in Set Three that resulted in the team’s largest lead of the frame (7-4). The Ichabods responded with three, straight points to tie the set 7-7 before both sides exchanged points to increase the tie 9-9. Washburn woke up from its slumber and proceeded to go on a six-point run (15-9) before the Lions chipped away at the deficit to make the difference three points (15-12). The Ichabods went on a 6-1 run to push out its largest lead of the set (21-13) before the Lions responded with their own 5-1 run to cut the deficit back down to four (22-18). The efforts would go for not, as Washburn finished the frame notching three of the final four points to win 25-19.
Set Four provided another good start for the Lions, building yet another 7-4 lead. Once again, however, the power of the second-ranked team in NCAA DII came to fruition, establishing a nine-point turnaround to ultimately take an 18-12 lead. The Lions could not overcome the six-point deficit, as Washburn finished the contest with a 25-16 victory and the match win.
Montevallo 3, Saint Leo 0
Saint Leo was unable to rebound in the evening fixture, as the Falcons (4-4) pulled off a South Regional stunner against the Green & Gold. The Lions hit .131 overall in the match, tallying a team total 33 kills.
In the first set, Saint Leo could not overcome a blazing 16-4 start by Montevallo, despite pulling to within five late in the opening frame (22-17). The Falcons clinched Set One scoring the final three points.
The second set was tightly contested, as the Lions kept up with the Falcons but trailed 20-18. Unfortunately for Saint Leo, the Purple & Gold made a 5-1 push that clinched a 25-19 win.
Down 2-0 in the series, Saint Leo took a quick 3-0 lead in the third set before Montevallo responded with seven-point turnaround. Down 19-12, the Lions made one last attempt in keeping the match alive, going on a 6-2 run before Montevallo ended the contest with the final four points to take Set Three 25-18 and the match.
The Lions will return home for the team’s home and Sunshine State Conference opener against Rollins College September 9th; first serve is slated for 7 p.m.
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