September 17, 2014

Tampa Cruises to First SSC Victory of the Season

Spartans Sink Tars 3-0 in SSC Opener

Box Score
Box score
WINTER PARK, Fla. - Hot off an impressive weekend and just days after being named the number one team in the country by the AVCA, the University of Tampa volleyball team clinched their first Sunshine State Conference victory of the season in their SSC opener against the Rollins College Tars, Wednesday night.

The victory, which propelled the Spartans to an 8-1 record, came in just three sets (25-21, 25-15, 25-16), and marks the Spartans' 37th consecutive SSC victory. Tampa has not lost in conference play since 2011.

Junior outside hitter Berkley Whaley led the offensive attack for the Spartans, swatting 14 kills and earning a .324 attack percentage on the night. Junior Marissa Lisenbee shined as well, registering 11 kills and ending the match with an attack percentage of .474. Whaley registered more kills than any opposing players.

As a team, the Spartans forced a total of 23 Tar errors on the evening, allowing Rollins to finish the match with a team attack average of .051.

Lisenbee and senior middle blocker Meagan Burke controlled the net in the win, teaming up to collect four block assists. Whaley also tacked on a solo block to add to the Spartan's three total.

Freshman libero Kasey Reynolds and Whaley led the Spartans in digs with nine apiece, while sophomore outside hitter Allee Stelogeannis tallied eight and senior setter Kahley Patrick added seven more. In addition, freshman Molly McAlvany recorded six digs and a kill in the weeknight victory.

Patrick, who tallied 40 assists on the evening, is averaging nearly 40 assists per game so far this season.

As a team, Tampa earned a .367 attack percentage in the win, registering 48 kills and picking up two services aces.

Following a weekend off, the Spartans will host Saint Leo University in another SSC matchup on Friday, September 26. The contest is slated for 7:00 p.m. in the
Martinez Center of the campus of the University of Tampa.

Live stats will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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