PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The Saint Leo University volleyball team opened the 2015 season with a bang, downing the University of Missouri-St. Louis 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 27-25) at the Hampton Inn-vitational hosted by the University of West Florida.
The Basics
Final Score: The Lions downed Missouri-St. Louis 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 27-25)
Location: UWF Field House, Pensacola, Fla.
Records: Saint Leo 1-0 | UMSL 0-1
How it Happened
- The Lions out hit, out dug and out served the Tritons for the first win of the season. The match included 27 seven ties and 12 lead changes across three sets. The key to Saint Leo's success was its ability to convert side-out points.
- Saint Leo was slow to start in serve receive but in the final set, when the match the match was tied 12 times, Saint Leo was able to sideout over 73 percent of the time.
- Hope Lemon led the Lions with 15 kills on 25 swings and a .200 attack percentage. The outside collected 16 points in the first match of 2015, and just missed a double-double with nine digs.
- In her first game for the green and gold, Anna Siruckova notched 11 kills, on 32 swings, including six kills in the third set. In the the final set, Siruckova went 6-1-11 from the net, for a .455 attack percentage.
- Ashlee Hodgskin stepped into her junior campaign and dished out 39 assists, her second 30+ assist match of her career. Hodgskin added three kills, seven digs, and one block assist in her first match.
- In her first match as libero, junior Jamee Townsend sprawled for 24 digs, her first career double-digit dig performance.
From the Coach
- It was really exciting the season with a win, but what impressed us most was the balance of our team. Three freshman came in and played great. It was one of the best team wins we've had in a long time.
Beyond the Box score
- Friday's morning win marked the first time since 2012, the Lions have opened their season with a win.
- The Lions held Missouri St. Louis to a team .124 attack percentage, including a .020 attack percentage in the second set.
- Katie Adamson turned in her first perfect game of her four year career. The senior didn't have a hitting error against the Tritons, and finished with seven kills and a .538 attack percentage.
- Three different newcomers began their careers for the green and gold. Avery Bradshaw, Reggie Van Devender and Siruckova all competed for the Lions. Bradshaw collected three kills and six digs, while Van Devender tallied one service ace and one dig.
For the Tritons
- Hannah Miller led Missouri-St. Louis led the Tritons with nine kills and Jessica Ploss added eight kills.
- Lindsay Meyer and Madyson Abeyta split time in the setter position and combined for 28 assists.
- Alivia Brinker led the squad with 11 digs.
Up next
- The Lions continue play at the Hampton Inn-vitational Friday, September 3rd at 4:30 CST.
- Saint Leo will face Bridgeport in its second match of the day. The Knights are defending East Coast Conference Champions and were selected as the preseason favorites by the league's coaches. Last season, the Knights went 26-3, 16-0 ECC. The Knights only return five players from last season's roster.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo volleyball team, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
