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University of Tampa Beach Volleyball Crowned AVCA Division II National Champions
University of Tampa Beach Volleyball Crowned AVCA Division II National Champions
April 16, 2023

Tampa Beach Volleyball Crowned AVCA National Champions For Third Time

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TAVARES, Fla. – The University of Tampa beach volleyball program captures its third National Championship in program history after defeating Colorado Mesa in the 2023 AVCA Division II Small College National Championship.

 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

v.s. Colorado Mesa - Tampa 3, CMU 0  

Record: Tampa 21-13

Location: Hickory Point Beach || Tavares, Fla.

Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Julia Oswald and Payton Brunick who were paired together in the 1's defeated Holly Schmidt and Macie Lachemann from CMU, (21-10, 21-12). Nevaeh Wolfe and Hailey Wolfe, were victorious winning in two sets over Jada Hall and Gracyn Spresser as the 3's pairing, (21-15, 21-18). Keely Hamilton and Madison Brunick defeated Tye Wedhorn and Sabrina VanDeList in the 4's pairing, (21-14, 21-13) to clinch a 3-0 victory for the Spartans. In the 2's, Tampa had Cassidy Ehrie and Angel Williams grouped together who were up a set and ahead in the second set (20-18, 17-12) but did not finish due to the match having already been clinched. In the 5's pairing, the Spartans had Kali Cors and Alivia Horn. The 5's lost the first set and were leading in the second prior to the match being called, (21-19, 11-10). 

On the way to collecting the program's third National Championship in the last five years, Tampa would face some familiar opponents throughout the weekend. On Day 1 in pool play, the Spartans would defeat Carson-Newman (3-0) Friday morning and Tusculum (3-1) later that afternoon. On Day 2, Tampa would fall in a morning match against Concordia but would still be in a great position heading into a rematch versus Carson-Newman later that afternoon. Much like the first match, they came out victorious over Carson-Newman (3-0) and set themselves up Sunday morning for a match with a familiar foe in Palm Beach Atlantic. The Spartans defeated the Sailfish (3-2) for the third straight time this season, sending the program to its third National Championship. In the end, Tampa would go on to defeat the 2022 National Champions, Colorado Mesa.

Tampa continues to be a dominant powerhouse in Division II after winning its third national title in the last five years that the championships have been played. In 2020, the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19. The Spartans have collected titles in 2019, 2021, and now most recently 2023. They have appeared in three national championship matches and are a perfect three for three. 

OUTSIDE THE BOX: