Spartans Battle Top Opponents on Final Day of Home Tournament

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa battles two top-ranked teams on final day of home tournament.

Final Scores:

Tampa 2, FGCU 3

Tampa 0, No. 2 TCU 5

Tampa 1, No. 3 FSU 4

Record: Tampa 1-8

Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center || Jacksonville, Fla.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

v.s. FGCU: The Spartans kicked off day three of their home tournament with a clash against FGCU. The Tampa lineup was once again thrown in the mixer. Kalli Cors and Maddison Mandeville played together in the 5s while the 4s remained the same from Friday.  The 5s gave FGCU a run for their money in the first set, but FGCU came out on top and took the match after a strong performance in the second. (1-0 FGCU) Despite dropping their first set by a large margin the 4s, Keely Hamilton and Madison Brunick, responded strongly in the second to force a third set which they won, tying up the duel. (1-1 Tie) The new pairing of Julia Oswald and Cassidy Ehrie in the 1s played well but fell just short in both of the first two sets. (2-1 FGCU) Back in action together for the Spartans were the Wolfe twins in the 3s. Similar to the 4s it took them a set to settle in. After dropping the first set the twins responded in the second and third to take their match. (2-2 Tie) In the duel-deciding match, Angel Williams and Payton Brunick represented the Spartans in the 2s. Following suit, Tampa would lose the first set but came out flying in the second, taking it by a large margin. The third set, as expected, was back and forth with both teams lining the court. In the end, it was the Eagles that took the victory after an extended third set. (3-2 FGCU)

v.s. No. 2 TCU: The Spartans took on arguably the strongest team in the nation, TCU, in their second match of the day. Other than a switch in the 5's, Leah Williams replacing Mandeville, the Tampa lineup remained the same. The Spartans fought hard in each of the five matches and proved that they are close to becoming a dangerous opponent for the top teams in the country, but the Horned Frogs completed the sweep before facing off against FSU in a top 5 matchup.

v.s. No. 3 FSU: In their final match of the day, and match of the tournament, the Spartans took on a familiar foe, the FSU Seminoles. Just like they did in the match against TCU the Spartans came out looking to prove themselves. FSU would take the 5s in two sets but the 4s were another story. Hamilton and Maddie Brunick looked convincing against the Seminoles. They took the first set and had a match point in the second, but FSU would rally to take the second and eventually the third set. The Wolfe twins in the 3s came up short in both of the first two sets, as did the Ehrie and Angel Williams in the 2's. Meanwhile, reuniting from the end of last season were Payton Brunick and Oswald in the 1s.  The Spartans came out hot in the first and would clinch the set by a large margin. The Noles held a 17-11 lead late in the second but Tampa showed their heart to battle all the way back to take the second and claim a two-set victory.

UP NEXT: The Spartans make the short drive to St. Petersburg next weekend to compete in the Eckerd College Battle on the Bay.