#1 Tampa Remains Undefeated With Victory as Rivera Joins Elite Group

Miami Shores, Fla. - As the case in most years, Tampa-Barry volleyball matches tend to be extremely intense and this one was no exception. Tampa won the match 3-1 and improved to 16-0 on the season while continuing its best start since 1988.

The Spartans and Buccaneers traded points throughout the first half of game one, but Tampa used six blocks and held Barry to a negative attack percentage to pull away, winning the game 30-19. Stephanie Rivera tallied tree kills in the first game, but the second proved to be historic as it was the 1,000th of her career. Rivera becomes only the 12th Spartan to reach the milestone.

The Barry Buccaneers refusing to be intimidated, pulled ahead early and was able to stave off two late Tampa rallies to win the second game 30-27. Tarah Marinelli had seven kills in the game and Margeaux Sinibaldi made multiple highlight reel digs to keep Tampa alive in game two.

The score of the third games was 31-29 in favor of Tampa but it seemed even closer than that. The teams battled back and forth until the very end or at least until Tampa's 30th point when setter, Gabriela Saade surprised the Buccaneers defense with a surprise attack attempt that landed in the middle of the court, all but deflating Barry's hope of victory in the game.

The fourth and final game went to the Spartans and for the most part was evenly played until Tampa jumped out to a 22-17 lead and then finished with a 30-23 final score.

Four Spartans recorded double digit kills, including Alisha Green, Marinelli, Rivera, and Katelen Dixon. Marinelli also had 16 digs in recording a double-double. Sinibaldi sizzled defensively the entire match in collecting 20 digs.

Tampa returns to action tomorrow, as they close out their South Florida swing with a match against Lynn University at 2:00 pm.