TAMPA, Fla. - The Palm Atlantic University beach volleyball team continued play this weekend at the Tampa Spartans Invitational as they faced the hosts Tampa followed by Saint Leo. The Sailfish dropped a down-to-the-wire match against the Spartans 3-2 before dominating the Lions 5-0. The Sailfish record moves to 14-12 overall after going 3-1 on the weekend.

Match 1: PBA - 2 | UT - 3

The Sailfish took on the Spartans for the second time this season and the result today was the same as the previous meeting as Tampa came out on top 3-2. The home side got off on the front foot as they took the No. 5 match as Abigail Mason and Karla Cantero fell in two sets 21-16, 21-19. PBA was able to equalize in the match as Natalie Skopalova and Julia Golichowski took the No. 4 match in straight sets 21-18, 21-19. Lunden Evans and partner Mya Krystosek fell in two close sets 21-18, 21-19 while Gabriella Aziz and Savannah DeCarlo took the No. 3 match 21-17, 22-20 to even the match at 2-2. It all came down to Ashleigh Holweger and Rebekah Machovec at the No. 2 match and it turned into an extended three-setter that could have gone either way. After dropping the first 21-13, the Sailfish pair bounced back to take the second 21-18 but in the decisive set, the 'Fish fell 16-14 as the Spartans captured the match.

Match 2: PBA - 5 | SLU - 0

The Sailfish take a 3-1 series lead over the Lions after defeating them 5-0 to close out play in Tampa.  PBA got the ball rolling as Evans and Krystosek took the No. 1 match in two close sets 22-20, 21-19. Holweger and Machovec rolled in the No. 2 match 21-14, 21-14 while Aziz and DeCarlo won in straight sets at position No. 3 21-16, 21-15. The No. 4 tandem of Skopalova and Golichowski played the closest match but still came out on top 17-21, 21-17, 15-10. The Sailfish completed the sweep as Mason and Cantero took the No. 5 match 21-15, 21-12.

The Sailfish will be back in action in a week when they head to Lakeland to face Lake Sumter State and Florida Southern. The 'Fish have defeated the Mocs four times already this season by a combined score of 19-1.