Saint Leo University Athletics

DENVER, Colo. – The 2019 Saint Leo University volleyball team charted new territory for the Lions' program as it became the first to accomplish the feat of winning a region championship. The historic run came to a close Thursday night in Denver, Colo. as the Lions fell in the NCAA National Championship Quarterfinals 3-0 to 11^th-ranked Regis University.
 
The Lions concluded their season with a 24-11 record under first year head coach Jason Skoch. Saint Leo was led by an outstanding group of six seniors who will go down in the record books for both individual accomplishments as well as leading this program to new heights.
 
Saint Leo played from behind all night versus the Rangers as Regis played a virtual home match in front of several hundred of its fans. The Regis campus is just 15 minutes away from the National Championship site in Denver. The Rangers took the opening set 25-15 before winning the final two sets by the score of 25-18.
 
One of those six outstanding Saint Leo seniors, Nina Vattovaz, led the Lions with 10 kills Thursday night as she committed just one hitting error finishing with a team-best .409 hitting percentage. Senior Victoria Omoregie and junior Michelle Cuervo each finished with six kills in the loss.
 
Redshirt junior setter Anna Garrett handed out 24 assists and had three blocks while sophomore libero Payton Bellano led the team with seven digs. Senior Anilise Fitzi posted four blocks to lead the squad which complimented her four kills.
 
Saint Leo hit just .173 as a team while the Rangers were clicking on offense to the tune of a .430 hitting percentage. Three Rangers finished with double-digit kills led by Nikki Kennedy with 13.
 
The Lions conclude their season with the third most victories in program history and the most since 2009 when Saint Leo finished 30-4.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on 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.