Spartans Stay No. 2 in AVCA Poll
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Continuing its 16 game win streak, the University of Tampa volleyball team grips its No. 2 ranking in nation per the latest AVCA Division II poll. The Spartans own a 23-1 overall record with an unblemished 10-0 tally in Sunshine State Conference matches.
Volleyball powerhouse Concordia, St. Paul holds on to the top spot in the nation as the rest of the top-5 also remains the same as Minnesota-Duluth, BYU-Hawai'i, and Central Missouri occupy the No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 spots respectively.
South region foe Palm Beach Atlantic jumps back into the poll with a No. 23 rank while fellow regional opponent West Florida dips to No. 22. SSC rival Florida Southern is listed as receiving votes for the latest poll.
Tampa is coming off a 3-0 week where the UT squad did not drop a set, sweeping each of its matches against Flagler, Florida Tech and Barry 3-0. Middle blocking tandem Meagan Burke and Jessica Wagner swept the SSC Player of the Week accolades, as Burke earns her third mention while Wagner picks up her second.
Head coach Chris Catanach's Spartans have been ranked in 239 consecutive AVCA polling periods, a streak second only to the Jennies of Central Missouri.
The UT team has not dropped a SSC match for 29 straight contests dating back to Oct. 28th 2011, where the lost to Friday night opponent Eckerd College.
The Spartans will look to keep its conference perfection as they face the Tritons Friday night at 7 p.m. The home match will be played at the Martinez Athletic Center where both live stats and a live video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.tv.
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