Beach Volleyball Splits Tri-Match at Saint Leo; Wins Rematch Against Eckerd

SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Florida Southern beach volleyball team faced a tough loss against host Saint Leo University 4-1 before winning the rematch against Eckerd College 4-1 in game two of the tri-match.
 
The Mocs (20-2) faced off against the Lions (9-3), who gave them just their second loss of the historic season. In game two of the day, FSC earned back a hard loss at the beginning of the season, defeating the Tritons (2-12) in the rematch.
 
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 1, SAINT LEO 4
The Mocs faced off against the Lions winning the No.1 match between Ashli McKenny and Emma Winford and Jeanette Henderson and A. Fredette Huffman in three sets. 19-21, 21-19, 15-11. The only other match that finished in three sets was the No. 4 pairing, as Christina Ramazio and Sydney Melcher fell to the Lions' fourth court, 21-16, 18-21, 15-3. The next pairs all fought hard, falling in two sets as Sarah Crocker and Reagan Carlton fell at court 2 with a 21-11, 21-12 final. At court 3, Hayley St. Martin and Mary Olivia Muti were defeated by Ignacia Cortinez and Emma Miller 21-13, 21-7. The final court of Jackie Schner and Hailey Carefoot gave the Lions a run but dropped the fifth court with a 21-10, 21-19 decision.
 
In exhibition action, Saint Leo captured the win as they defeated Chloe Maxwell and Madeline Sanders 21-19, 21-9.
 
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 4, ECKERD 1
The Mocs went on to face off against Eckerd in a rematch for the second game of the day, and FSC came out victorious, taking down the Tritons in a 4-1 battle. In the first match, McKenny and Winford took it to the third sets, finishing with a 21-15, 12-21, 15-9 winning the rematch. In court #2, Carlton and Crocker joined up again for a 21-17, 21-19 finish with their second win against Eckerd. St. Martin and Muti fought hard, taking the Tritons to the three sets also finishing with the win this time on court 3 for a 21-13, 19-21, 15-11 defeat. Melcher and Ramazio took it to three sets against the Tritons, continuing to stay hot with a 21-19, 16-21, 15-11 win. 
 
At the No.5, Schner and Carefoot faced off against Teagan VanderMey and Rachel Jackson for the second time this year. The Tritons were victorious once again winning in two sets, 21-12, 21-19. In exhibition play, Eckerds exhibition pair Faith Smith and Melena Moore won the match over Emma Hufford and Sanders, beating the Mocs with a 21-6, 22-20 final. 
 
FSC returns to the sand Friday, March 29 as they travel to Tampa to compete in the Tampa Invite over the weekend. The Mocs will open the Invite on Friday, facing Saint Leo and Palm Beach Atlantic, followed by PBA and Tampa on Saturday. The first serve is scheduled for noon on Friday.