(Miami Gardens, Fla.) -- The Florida Memorial University volleyball team began a season-long relationship with Marines from the Marine Corps Officer Selection team in South Florida. 

Captain Valerie Krygier and members of her team hosted a two-hour long leadership session with the Lions to help them understand their team dynamic, and ways in which they can communicate better throughout the season. During the session the ladies were introduced to leadership traits and began to identify the team and individual leadership strengths and weaknesses. 

"This was the beginning of a very strong training period because we established our mental strengths and weaknesses before we even got on the court," said head coach Marrita Crockett-Moulton. "It allowed all of us to see what kind of team we are and how we can motivate each other."

The ladies finished the first of five sessions with a new outlook on leadership. The remaining sessions, which will include a physical component, will resume a week before they officially take the court together for the first time. 

Coach Crockett-Moulton said "During the session we established our team core values which we refer to as L.E.E; Loyalty, Endurance and Enthusiasm."

The next session will take place on August 6, 2019. The Lions will began their 2019 season at the Keiser University Tournament on August 17 against Pensacola Christian College at 4PM.