BOCA RATON, Fla. – It was a history making afternoon in Boca Raton, Fla., Saturday for the Saint Leo volleyball team as the Lions captured the program's first NCAA South Region Championship in a back-and-forth five-set affair against Barry University. Two of the five sets went into extra points as both teams were hungry for the trip to the NCAA National Championship in Denver, Colo.
 
The Lions dropped the opening set 27-25 before taking the second stanza 25-22. The third set would swing back to the Buccaneers at 29-27 before the Lions closed out the match with 25-19 and 15-10 victories in the fourth and fifth sets.  
 
Saint Leo entered the match 0-6 in five-set contests this season but overcame in the fifth period as they led from the start and cruised to their first regional championship.
 
The Lions are now 24-10 on the season while Barry dropped to 22-12. The 24 victories are tied for third all-time at Saint Leo.
 
Saint Leo went back to what worked for the Lions all season as they used a balanced attack to defeat the Buccaneers. Six Lions finished with eight or more kills in the victory led by senior Nina Vattovaz who tallied 15 kills and nine digs. Classmates Victoria Omoregie and Anilise Fitzi each posted 13 kills in the victory. Omoregie added four blocks and four digs while Fitzi tied her career best with 10 blocks versus the Bucs.
 
Junior Michelle Cuervo added nine kills while junior Ashley Quero and senior Annabella Arcari each had eight. Quero chipped in eight digs while Arcari had five blocks.
 
Sophomore libero Payton Bellano dug up a career-best 31 balls while freshman Skylar Singleton added 17. Redshirt junior setter Anna Garrett handed out 55 assists while digging up 15 balls for another double-double. The final Lion in double-figures was senior Fabiola Rosado who had 13 digs in the victory.
 
The Buccaneers put four attackers in double-figures led by Megi Buvinic who had a match-high 20 kills.
 
The Lions will now await the announcement of the NCAA Division II National Championship schedule as they travel to Denver, Colo. Dec. 12-14 for the Elite Eight action.
 
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.