HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Saint Leo University volleyball team opened up the 2026 season on the road at the Coker Cobra Classic in Hartsville, S.C. The Lions played a pair of matches on opening day, first defeating Chowan 3-0 before falling to USC Aiken 3-0 in the nightcap.
Â
In the opening match of the day the Lions earned the second 3-0 sweep of the
Abby Keim era adding to the 3-0 victory over Edward Waters last season. Junior
Rose Kailahi led the offensive attack as she posted 10 kills on just 18 swings while earning a .444 attack percentage. Junior
Emma LeTourneau and junior
Mina Kostic, who was making her Saint Leo debut, each finished with six kills in the victory. It took just 12 swings for LeTourneau to reach her mark while Kostic hit for a .600 average while taking just 10 swings to capture her six kills. The pair of LeTourneau and Kostic also shared the team lead in blocks with five each. Kostic had four block assists and a solo stop while LeTourneau added five block assists.
Â
Junior
Mia Moser led the backline with 12 digs while senior
Sabrina Valentin added 10. Sophomore
Bridget Gallagher handed out a team-best 15 assists while freshman
Jansen Warbritton picked up 10 assists in her collegiate opener.
Â
The Lions won in straight sets 25-23, 25-15 and 25-19. The opening set was a bit back-and-forth but the Lions took over the second and third sets, only trailing early in the periods before pulling away.
Â
In the afternoon match with USCA, the Lions were led by junior
Gina Stavile who had a team-best eight kills in the loss. Valentin and freshman
Shelby Toney each added seven kills to the effort. Kostic led the frontline defensive effort with a pair of solo blocks.
Â
Moser once again led the backline with 10 digs while Valentin added seven for a well-balanced effort. Gallagher and Warbritton once again split time at setter with Gallagher handing out 12 assists followed by Warbritton's 11.
Â
The Lions will close out action in South Carolina tomorrow morning at 11:30 a.m. as they take on the hosts Coker.
Â
