Sandy Spartans Start to Receive National Recognition

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa Beach Volleyball team had a huge weekend, ending 4-0 at the Eckerd College Battle on the Bay tournament in St. Petersburg, Florida. Due to their success, in the latest AVCA coaches poll, as announced by the association office Monday, the University of Tampa has started to receive votes. This is huge for the Spartans as the UT beach program is only in its second year of existence. 

See Entire Poll Here

Beach Volleyball is one of the fastest growing collegiate sports, and the University of Tampa is one of about 90 colleges to offer beach as a varsity sport. In its inaugural season (2018), Tampa ended with an overall record of 14-10. Now, with just three weekends of play behind them, UT currently sits at 7-5. Four of UT's wins came from the weekend where UT defeated the UT-M, WIU, UNF, and FGCU

Eckerd College Battle on the Bay Results:
The Spartans started the weekend on Friday by earning a 4-1 win over the University of Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks. This was the second time the Spartans have defeated the Skyhawks this season. Later that evening the Spartans then downed the Webber International Warriors in a clean, 5-0 sweep. 

On Saturday, the sandy Spartans continued to find success at Northshore Park. In their morning dual, UT defeated the University of North Florida Ospreys by a final score of 4-1. Then to end the tournament, Tampa pulled out a win over the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles, 3-2. 

Head Coach, Jeff Lamm, was extremely happy with all of the Spartans play on the weekend. In their last dual against the Eagles, both Tampa's ones and threes teams battled back from a 6-10 deficit in the third to win the set 15-12. 

Even though Tampa is still regarded as a new program, Lamm has made it clear that he wants to compete against the best. Prior to the start of the season, Lamm stated, "I want to give my current athletes a chance to compete against the best, as well as send a message to recruits that I am trying to build a nationally competitive program here at UT".This year he has stood behind that statement by scheduling opening weekend against four of the top-ranked teams in the nation. 

See Full Beach Volleyball Schedule Here

Up Next:
The Spartans will travel to Boca Raton, Florida to compete in the Florida Atlantic Beach Bash on Friday, March 22^ndand Saturday, March 23^rd. The Spartans will face North Alabama, Florida International, and Florida Atlantic respectively.