SAINT LEO, Fla. – Under first year head coach Jason Skoch, the Saint Leo University volleyball team was picked to finish fifth in the Sunshine State Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll the conference office announced today (Aug. 19). The Lions finished fifth at the end of the 2018 regular season just one match back from fourth place Florida Southern.  
 
Defending co-champions Tampa and Barry were selected first and second, respectively, in the 2019 preseason poll. Tampa picked up eight first place votes and a total of 98 points to finish in the top spot while Barry collected the remaining three first place tallies and 93 total points to take second. Palm Beach Atlantic (77), Florida Southern (71) and Saint Leo (68) rounded out the top-five.
 
Last season the Lions finished 17-15 and advanced to the NCAA South Regional for the sixth-straight season. Saint Leo went 12-8 in conference play a season ago and returns a bulk of its lineup for 2019. Despite 12 returners including all six starters, the Lions will have a new look with head coach Jason Skoch taking over the program bringing with him over 400 career wins and five trips to the NCAA Elite Eight.
 
The Lions return all five of its top kill leaders from last season including junior Ashley Quero who led Saint Leo with 360 kills last season. Defensively, the top four block leaders return to the 2019 squad while the digs leader, Reggie Van Devender, was lost to graduation.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo volleyball team 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.
 
2019 SSC VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Rank	School (FPV*)	Total Votes
1	Tampa (8)	98
2	Barry (3)	93
3	Palm Beach Atlantic	77
4	Florida Southern	71
5	Saint Leo	68
6	Lynn	52
7	Embry-Riddle	45
8	Eckerd	41
9	Nova Southeastern	29
10	Rollins	17
11	Florida Tech	14