No. 1 Tampa Sweeps Claflin in NCAA South Region Opener

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 1 University of Tampa Spartans volleyball team (29-1) swept the Claflin University Lady Pathers (23-13) in straight sets (25-11, 25-7, 25-19) on the first day of the NCAA South Regional Tournament, Thursday evening.

Hot off their tenth-straight Sunshine State Conference title, the victory gives the Spartans 16 consecutive NCAA South Region Tournament wins.

No. 1 Tampa started the match off strong, as they took the first set by a score of 25-11. Senior Jessica Wagner led the team with four kills and a block in the set, while senior Kahley Patrick added 11 assists to jumpstart the three-set sweep.

In the second set of the evening, the Spartans came out firing on all cylinders, as they dominated the scoreboard and rallied for a 25-7 set win. In addition to Tampa's offensive effort, the Spartans' defense also played a key factor in the victory, holding the visiting Lady Panthers to a -.071 hitting percentage, and registering three team blocks.

Claflin was able to race out to a 6-2 lead in the third set before the Spartans found their groove. The set was a back and forth affair with seven ties, but it was the No. 1 Spartans who came out triumphant with a 25-19 set victory, taking home the game.

Offensively, sophomore Allee Stelogeannis led the way with a game-high eight kills on the night, while juniors Marissa Lissenbee and Megan Heffron each registered seven of their own.

In addition, junior All-American Berkley Whaley earned six kills at a .333 clip, and senior middle blockers Jessica Wagner and Meagan Burke each recorded four. Wagner and Burke also led the Spartans starters in attacking, posting .571 and .429 attach averages, respectively.

Senior setter Kahley Patrick was the guiding force behind the Tampa offense for the first two sets, recording 27 assists. Sophomore Gina Clarke also added eight assists, taking on most of the setting responsibilities in the third set.

Freshmen Molly McAlvany, who donned the libero uniform for sets two and three, led UT defensively with nine digs, while Whaley and Patrick were able to add six apiece.

From the net, Lisenbee collected a game-high three blocks, while Wagner and sophomore middle blocker Demery Zachery registered two each.

As a team, the Spartans hit for a .382 average in the contest, holding the Lady Panthers to just a .034 clip.

Tampa continue NCAA Division II South Region play again tomorrow, when the take on Valdosta State University in the semi-final contest at 7:30 p.m. All tournament games are to be played in 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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