October 3, 2014

No. 1 Spartans Upend Fighting Knights in 3-0 Fashion

Box Score
Box score
TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 1 University of Tampa volleyball team (12-1, 5-0 SSC) improved to 12-1 on the season Friday night, with a 3-0 triumph (25-12, 25-17, 25-18) over the visiting Lynn University Fighting Knights (6-6, 2-3 SSC). The win signaled the Spartans' 41st-consecutive Sunshine State Conference victory, a school and conference record that dates back to 2011.

The match quickly fell in favor of the Spartans, as Tampa rallied off seven-straight points in the first set for an early lead. From there on, the pace of the game was set, and the Spartans cruised to a 25-12 first set win.

After a short intermission, Tampa and Lynn returned to the court for the second set of the evening. Although the first fourteen points on each side occurred nearly point for point, the Spartans pulled away mid-way through and forced a 25-17 second set victory.

With the game in their favor, Tampa hit the court in set three thirsty for victory. The top-ranked team did not disappoint, taking control early in the third set for a 25-18 victory and earning a 3-0 match win.

As a team, the Spartans earned a .402 attack average on the night, propelled in large part by junior outside hitter Berkley Whaley's 13 kills. Whaley currently leads the Sunshine State Conference in kills per set.

Collectively, the Spartans recorded 42 kills on the evening, with six Tampa players earning over a .300 attack percentage.

Senior setter Kahley Patrick, who leads the conference in assists to date, recorded 34 assists on the evening, guiding the Spartans to their third-highest attack average of the season.

At the net, senior Meagan Burke and junior Marissa Lisenbee shined defensively, recording six and five blocks, respectively. The victory marks the sixth time this season that the Spartans' defense has recorded double-digit blocks.

Libero Molly McAlvany contributed strongly from the back row as well, recording 10 digs, while Whaley followed her lead with eight and Patrick registered seven. The Spartans forced 22 Lynn errors on the night, as the Fighting Knights finished the match with a .052 attack average.

The Spartans will host the Florida Tech Panthers on Saturday, Oct. 4 to wrap up the week's play. The afternoon Sunshine State Conference contest is set for 4:00 p.m. from the Martinez Center on the campus of the University of Tampa.

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

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