PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Lee volleyball team opened the 2016 season with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-14) loss to host and No. 3-ranked Palm Beach Atlantic in the Bash at the Beach on Friday afternoon. The Lady Flames put up a much stronger fight in the nightcap of Friday's action, falling to long-time rival Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 16-25, 23-25).

Ally Rohn had 15 kills and a .536 attack percentage in pacing the PBA Sailfish, while Emma Ballantne chipped in with eight kills but finished with an impressive .889 attack mark. Molly Burkhardt dished off 28 assists for the winners and Susie Forbes added eight digs.

Silvia Sartori had eight slams for the Lady Flames. Carly Callahan finished with six and Brooke Wilsman and Crystal Dedes had four kills each. Sadie Johnson was Lee's assist leader with 28. She also came up with eight digs. Makayla Beebe was the dig leader with nine.

Said coach Andrea Hudson:
"We started out really strong against PBA (first game tied at 10), but their team is well-seasoned and strong again this year. I love it when the girls face strong opponents early because our true weaknesses will show themselves. I'm hoping for a stronger comeback in our next match."

Embry-Riddle Slips Past Lady Flames

Lee came out strong in the opening set against the Eagles and claimed a 25-21 decision. Embry-Riddle battled back to win the next two sets 18-25 and 16-25 but the Lady Flames pushed the Florida club to the limit in the final set before falling 23-25. The battle was tied at 13 apiece before the Eagles surged to another lead. However, Lee charged back and trailed only 20-19 and 24-23 before Embry-Riddle was able to claim the hard-earned victory. 

Sartori had a double-double for the Lady Flames, 14 kills and 11 digs. Dedes followed with 10 kills and five blocks, while Callahan totaled 12 kills. Johnson dished off 30 key assists, while Kristi Farley came up with 16 assists and seven digs. Beebe was the digs leader with 21. 

The Eagles were extremely strong at the net, coming away with 18 blocks. McKenna James paced her club with 16 kills and six blocks. Asya Oguz produced a double-double, 12 kills and 15 digs. Amanda Saunders followed with nine kills and a team-leading 12 blocks. Jordan Nakayama had 24 assists and Alyssa Rudd tallied 17 assists for the winners. 

The Lady Flames will be right back on the Palm Beach Atlantic courts on Saturday morning testing Florida Tech at 10 a.m. before wrapping up their play in the Bash at the Beach competition against the University of Bridgeport (Conn.) at 3 p.m.