ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Saint Leo volleyball team opened up the 2018 season at the Flagler Saints Invitational Friday afternoon as the Lions split a pair of 3-0 matches against Findlay and Erskine. Saint Leo dropped its opening match to the Oilers of Findlay before dominating the Flying Fleet of Erskine in its second match of the day.
 
Saint Leo and Findlay each went 1-1 on the first day of the tournament while Erskine fell to 0-2.
 
Three Lions reached double-figure kills over the two matches including junior Victoria Omoregie (14), senior Dallas Jasper (13) and junior Nina Vattovaz (11) while three others compiled nine kills each. Omoregie led the Lions in the opening match with nine kills while Vattovaz had nine in the victory of Erskine to lead the team.
 
Senior Reggie Van Devender and freshman Cassandra Kamien split the setting duties with Van Devender dishing out 32 assists while Kamien handed out 25. Freshman Payton Bellano debuted as Saint leo's starting libero and finished with a team-high 30 digs over the two contests for an impressive 5.00 digs per set average.
 
Van Devender and sophomore Michelle Cuervo were impressive from the service line each compiling five service aces on the day. Van Devender produced all five of her aces against the Flying Fleet while Cuervo had four in the victory and one against the Oilers.
 
The Lions will return to action Saturday afternoon with a pair of top-25 opponents on the slate. Saint Leo will face preseason No. 3 Minnesota Duluth at 2:00 p.m. before squaring off with host and No. 25 Flagler in the nightcap at 7:00 p.m.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo volleyball, be sure to 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.