Saint Leo, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2009) - The Nova Southeastern University volleyball team dropped a highly contested match in three sets at #16 Saint Leo in action on Saturday afternoon. The loss drops the Sharks record to 12-8 on the season, including 3-4 in Sunshine State Conference play while Saint Leo improves to 17-2 and 8-0 in SSC play.

The Sharks came out and gained the early edge in the first set, leading the Lions 17-10. Saint Leo closed to within 19-17 before NSU re-grouped to lead 24-22. The Sharks had four opportunities serving on set point to put Saint Leo away but the Lions had the answer each time to win 29-27.

Nova Southeastern once again gained an advantage on the Lions in the second set, leading 19-17 for the second consecutive time. After Saint Leo went on a run to lead 23-20 the Sharks ran off four points in a row to hold serve on set point. The Lions completed yet another comeback to win the set 26-24.

Saint Leo took the early lead in the third set at 8-2. The Lions extended their lead to 14-5 en route to the 25-11 victory.

The Lions out-hit NSU .280 to .133. The Sharks had an eight to six edge in blocks .

Sophomore middle blocker Molly Sigerich (Downers Grove, Ill.) led the Sharks with eight kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter Taylor Pohlman (Olathe, Kan.) followed with six kills while senior All-America setter Valia Petrova (Sofia, Bulgaria) and junior outside hitter Lucia Cizmarova (Bratislava, Slovak Republic) had five apiece.

Emily Calderone-Reyes led Saint Leo with 17 kills. Bruna Rocha added 13 kills.

The Sharks will travel to Boca Raton, Fla. to take on SSC rival Lynn at 7 pm on Tuesday, October 13th.