Nova Southeastern Hands #5 Tampa Second Straight Loss

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The fifth-ranked University of Tampa (22-4, 9-3 SSC) volleyball team suffered a 3-2 loss to Nova Southeastern University (20-7, 8-3 SSC) in a Sunshine State Conference battle.

In set one, Melissa Vanderhall registered five kills on eight attempts as the Spartans were able to fight off a pair of NSU set points to take a 27-25 victory.

UT carried the momentum into the second frame, where it built a 16-9 lead before Nova mounted a rally of its own. A 10-4 NSU run put the Sharks within one point of UT at 20-19. Tampa then regrouped to win five of the next seven points as it won the set 25-21. Sam Macks accounted for kills in two of Tampa's final three points.

Following an intermission, the Sharks regrouped in set three to take control. Nova held the lead throughout the frame, leading by as many as five points before taking a 25-21 win. For the set, NSU hit .391 and forced six Spartan hitting errors.

The fourth set remained close, with neither team leading by more than two points, until the Sharks broke a 16-16 tie with four of the next five points to hold a 20-17 advantage. Nova held its lead to earn a 25-21 victory to force a fifth set.

Nova Southeastern held the lead throughout the entire fifth set, though the Spartans fought throughout. With Nova holding an 11-9 lead, UT's Danielle MacDonald had a kill followed by a block by Camille Hanks and Annalea Warren to even the score at 11 apiece. The teams then traded points before NSU scored two straight to take a 14-12 lead. Tampa then capitalized on a service and hitting error by the Sharks to tie the match at 14-14. Nova then answered with two straight points to earn a 16-14 win and its first-ever victory over the Spartans.

Danielle MacDonald led Tampa with 19 kills as Melissa Vanderhall added 16. Annalea Warren was also in double figures with 10. Gabriela Saade added 32 assists while Meghan Sherman had 21.

Warren led Tampa with 18 digs while Camila Saade recorded 10. Sam Macks led the Spartans with three blocks.

Tampa returns home where it will host a pair of matches next weekend, against Rollins on Friday at 7 p.m., and then versus Florida Tech on Saturday at 4 p.m. Saturday's match will also serve as senior day as the Spartans will honor their five seniors prior to the match.

UT will offer live stats and a webcast through www.tampaspartans.com. Fans may also sign up for eScores through the website, a free service that sends text messages on Spartan athletic events.