Spartans Place Second in Colorado Premier with Split Day

DENVER, Colo. - Concluding the Colorado Premier Challenge at center stage, the No. 3 University of Tampa volleyball team split the final day of the tournament. The UT squad defeated host Regis University 3-1 (25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22) but fell to No. 14 West Texas A&M University 3-0 (25-27, 10-25, 25-27) in the championship match of the tournament.

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

The split day puts the Spartans 6-2 on the season while the hosting Rangers end play with a 5-4 record. The challenge winning Lady Buffs ends the tournament with a 7-1 record.

Libero Jen Scholz tallied 42 digs in her first collegiate starts at the position. The freshman helped limit the opposition to .101 and .151 attack percentages respectively. Scholz had some help as senior Sloane Bâby aided the back row with a solid 24-dig showing.

Senior Danielle Selkridge continued her tear, leading the squad in blocks with 13 and kills with 25 between the two matches. Setter Kahley Patrick continued to tempo the Spartan's swing as the sophomore assisted 61 attacks on the day.

The Spartans placed three players on the all-tournament team as Patrick, Selkridge and Holly Reschke picked up the accolade.

Strong defense led the Spartans to their victory over the Regis, as the team totaled 18 blocks and 72 digs limited the Rangers to a stagnant .101 team hitting percentage.

Freshman libero Scholz led the floor with 20 digs for the UT squad with Holly Reschke and Baby following in behind with 16 and 14 digs respectively.

Selkridge tallied nine blocks to go along with her errorless 15 kills in the four-set win. Middle blocker Meagan Burke had a ten-kill, seven-block showing for the Spartans while right side Marissa Lisenbee posted five each.

Setter Patrick fueled the Tampa attack, assisting 34 Spartan hits while notching six kills and six digs.

The Ranger offense was led by duo Katie Klein and Makayla Higgins. The hitters swatted 13 kills apiece while libero Sage Martinson led Regis with 21 digs.

Despite the best defensive efforts of the Spartans, the Lady Buffs took the championship match in three sets.

With double-digit kills, Selkridge led the Spartan attack with 10, also blocking four WTAMU swings. Outside hitter Jessica Yingling followed with eight kills, two blocks and 11 digs to compliment Selkridge.

Freshman Scholz continued to impress, posting a career-high 22 digs while Patrick placed 27 assists and seven digs on the loss.

The Lady Buffs were led by Hallie Harton, who tallied a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs on the match.

The Spartans continue their road trip with a visit to Flagler College September 18 with game-time set for a 7 p.m. start.

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