BOCA RATON – An impressive performance on both sides of the ball gave the Lynn University volleyball team a three-set (25-21, 25-20, 25-15) victory over Saint Leo in a pivotal Sunshine State Conference match Saturday afternoon at LU's de Hoernle Sports & Cultural Center.  The victory gives Lynn a 12-5 overall record while SLU falls to 9-7.  Both teams now have an identical 5-3 record in the SSC.

Senior Mallory Deneen and sophomore Chelsey Semprini both had nine kills to lead the offensive attack, but it was the defense that stole the show for the Knights.  Seniors Kala Abdell and Sophie Gagnon both had six block assists while Haley Pratt added four as the Blue & White tallied a season-high 13.5 total blocks.  Senior Lacy Redwine recorded a game-high 29 digs, while Deneen collected ten as Saint Leo hit just .055 for the match.

The first set featured nine ties and four lead changes as Lynn outhit the Lions .282 to .093.  With SLU ahead, 15-14, Deneen recorded three consecutive kills off Devon Woolard assists to give Lynn a two-point lead and forced the Lions to call a timeout.  The Lions would twice cut that lead in half, but kills by Gagnon and Abdell gave Lynn a 24-20 advantage before Katie Bradley ended the set with a kill of her own.

Lynn picked up the defense even more in the second set as Saint Leo hit .000 for the frame with the help of 5.5 blocks by the Knights.  After a kill by Saint Leo tied the score at nine, the Blue & White went on a 6-1 run which included a solo block by Gagnon.  The Lions would get as close as 22-20 but a kill by Abdell and a block by Gagnon, Abdell and Bradley gave Lynn the victory.

Like the first two sets, the third set was neck-and-neck until Lynn went on a huge run to take it over.  Down 10-8, Lynn scored eight straight points behind a pair of aces by Abbey Brokop and a pair of blocks by Abdell and Gagnon.  SLU scored the following point to cut Lynn's lead to 16-11 but the Knights would double up on the Lions to cruise for the win.

The Fighting Knights are back in action Sunday, October 10 when they host Flagler at 12:00 pm in a pivotal South Regional matchup match.  Fans can follow all of the action live by logging on to www.LynnFightingKnights.com and selecting "Game Central."