SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo volleyball team travels to Miami Shores, Fla. to open its 2019 season at the Barry University Classic where the Lions will play four matches over two days, including 2018 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinalist American International.
 
Saint Leo, who was selected to finish fifth in the Sunshine State Conference Preseason Coaches Poll and is receiving votes in the 2019 Preseason AVCA Coaches Poll, is under the direction of first-year head coach Jason Skoch who boasts over 400 career victories, 11 trips to the NCAA Tournament and five NCAA Elite Eight appearances.
 
The Lions will open up their first day of competition with Minnesota State Mankato at 1 p.m. on Friday before taking on East Stroudsburg at 5 p.m. On Saturday, Saint Leo will face a pair of 2018 NCAA Tournament participants including Saint Anselm at 11 a.m. and NCAA Quarterfinalist American International at 5 p.m.
 
Saint Leo will face both Minnesota State Mankato and American International for the first time in program history while facing East Stroudsburg and Saint Anselm for the second time. The Lions defeated ESU 3-0 back in 2009 and downed Saint Anselm 3-0 in 2004.
 
The Lions return all five of their kill leaders from last season including junior Ashley Quero who led Saint Leo with 360 kills last season. Defensively, the four of the top-five block leaders return to the 2019 squad while the digs leader, Reggie Van Devender, was lost to graduation. Six new faces grace the Saint Leo roster including three transfers, in Aisha Ambrose (West Georgia), Grace Campbell (Wofford) and Kirsten Kaiser (Erskine), and three freshmen. Former All-Conference setter Anna Garrett also returns after missing last season due to injury.
 
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.