October 25, 2014

No. 1 Spartans Spear No. 20 Sailfish in 3-0 Sweep

Box Score
Box score
TAMPA, Fla. - In a regional weekend contest against the visiting No. 20 Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish (24-2), the No. 1 University of Tampa Spartans (21-1) defeated the top-ranked Sailfish by a 3-0 score (25-13, 25-15, 25-20).

The victory marks the Spartans' ninth win over a team ranked in the AVCA top-25 poll this season, and propels No. 1 Tampa to a 21-1 overall record.

Junior All-American Berkley Whaley led the offense for the Spartans, garnering 15 kills and earning a .375 attack average on the afternoon. The outside hitter also recorded a double-double.

Junior Megan Heffron followed Whaley's lead, registering 10 kills and posting a .308 attack percentage. Both Allee Stelogeannis and Jessica Wagner contributed seven digs apiece to aid the Spartans offensively, as well.

From the front row, senior setter Kahley Patrick guided the Spartans to victory, tallying 38 assists and leading the squad in attacking with a .750 average.

Tampa's best numbers of the afternoon came defensively, however, as four Spartans recorded double-digit digs. Freshman libero Molly McAlvany led the way, registering a career-high 21 digs, and Heffron followed suit, posting a career-high 13 digs and recording the Spartans' second double-double of the day. Whaley and Patrick also earned 11 and ten digs, respectively.

Junior middle blocker Jessica Wagner controlled the net in the contest, posting three solo blocks and two block assists for a five-block effort. Stelogeannis also tallied four block assists on the afternoon.

The Spartans held the Sailfish to a .000 attack average for the match, forcing 22 PBA errors and out-blocking their opponent seven to ten.

The Spartans will return to action on Friday, Oct. 31 for a Sunshine State Conference contest against the No. 18 Florida Southern Moccasins. The match is slated for 7 p.m. at the Mocs' home court in Lakeland, Fla.

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

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