BOCA RATON, Fla. – After a two-week break the Saint Leo volleyball team returned to action Thursday night as the Lions opened up play at the 2019 NCAA South Region Championship in Boca Raton, Fla. The Lions entered the match as the No. 5 seed and proceeded to sweep the No. 4 seed Embry-Riddle, 3-0, to advance to the regional semifinals for the fifth time in program history.
 
Saint Leo improved its 2019 record to 22-10 while the Eagles end their season with an impressive 19-9 mark.
 
Junior Ashley Quero, who posted a season-high 20 kills in the last meeting with Embry-Riddle, led the Lions with 15 kills in the victory. Classmate Michelle Cuervo added 11 kills on 21 swings with no errors for a strong .524 hitting percentage.
 
Seniors Anilise Fitzi and Victoria Omoregie each added seven kills to the effort. They also each chipped in a pair of blocks while Fitzi led the team with two service aces.
 
Redshirt junior setter Anna Garrett dished out 36 assists over the three sets while digging up a team-high tying 14 balls. The setter also snuck four kills past the Eagles' defense. Sophomore libero Payton Bellano shared the lead with Garrett with 14 digs as well.   
 
The Lions out-hit the Eagles .325 to .110 including holding Embry-Riddle to a negative hitting percentage in the third and deciding set. Saint Leo won in straight sets 25-21, 25-21 and 25-15.
 
Melanie Canfield led the Eagles with 12 kills as she was the lone Embry-Riddle attacker to reach double-figures.
 
The Lions will now await the winner of No. 1 seed Lynn and No. 8 seed Spring Hill who compete in the final match of day one. The Lions will battle the winner tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. for a berth into the Regional Championship Saturday afternoon.
 
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