WEST PALM BEACH, Fla – The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team had its home opener against Saint Leo on Friday night.
 
The Sailfish got off to a hot start, but were unable to adapt to Saint Leo's (8-2, 3-0 Sunshine State Conference) adjustments. After winning the first set 25-19, PBA (6-5, 1-2 SSC) dropped the next three sets to lose the match 3-1. The Lions, who are receiving votes in the AVCA Top-25, notched their sixth straight victory.
 
Both teams traded points early in the first set. With Saint Leo leading 14-13, Palm Beach Atlantic went on a 6-2 run which included a pair of kills by Sam Wolf to take an 19-16 lead. The Sailfish never looked back. The 'Fish closed the set with another 5-0 run which included three kills from Jazz Schmidt to win the first set 25-19.
 
The Sailfish started off hot in the second set. PBA led 10-3 early in the set, but the Lions stayed within striking distance courtesy of several Sailfish serving errors. With the 'Fish leading 20-15, Saint Leo began to mount its comeback. An 8-2 run gave Saint Leo a 23-22 lead. The set was tied at 23 after a service error, but the Lions won last two points of the set to tie the match at one set apiece.
 
Saint Leo kept its momentum going in the third set by taking a quick lead. The Sailfish were forced to have a comeback of their own. After facing four separate three-point deficits, PBA led 21-20; however, the Lions recovered and won the set 25-22.
 
The Lions refused to allow PBA back into the match. Saint Leo controlled most of the fourth set, on its way to a 25-18 win to clinch the match.
 
Wolf led PBA with 17 kills on an efficient .400 hitting percentage. Emma Pieper finished with a team-high 42 assists and added 11 digs. Schmidt was not far behind Wolf with 13 kills. Lilly Turner led with 16 digs.
 
The Sailfish are back in action tomorrow against No. 22 Tampa. The match at Rubin Arena takes place at 4 p.m.