December 4, 2014

No. 1 Spartans Derail Wheeling Jesuit, Advance to Final Four

Box Score
Box score
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The No. 1 University of Tampa Spartans volleyball team (32-1) made a statement in the first game of the Division II National Tournament with a 3-0 sweep (25-16, 25-15, 25-20) of Wheeling Jesuit (38-4). The victory propels the top-ranked Spartans to the NCAA Final Four, where they will compete against the winner of tonight's matchup between Arkansas Fort-Smith and New Haven.

Wheeling Jesuit's Kayce Krucki took the first point in the match, but the Lady Cardinal lead did not last long. The teams went point-for-point until the score was tied at 7-7, but the Spartans pulled away quickly and made quick work of their opponent from there. Taking a 25-16 first set win, Tampa would not lose their lead for the remainder of the match.

The second set occurred much like the first, as Wheeling Jesuit took the first point. The Spartans ignited their offense, however, when the score hit 6-6, rallying off four straight points and never looking back. With a 25-15 second set victory, Tampa waltzed into the third set of the match with a 2-0 lead in their favor.

The Lady Cardinals again took the first point in the third set, and it was a point-for-point battle from then on. Despite Wheeling Jesuit's efforts, it was the Spartans who would take home the 25-20 third set win, punching a ticket to the NCAA Division II Final Four.

Leading the offense, junior All-American Jessica Wagner, whose career-high 13 kills came on 14 total attacks, earned a career- and game-high .929 attack average in the triumph. Her efforts propelled Tampa to an astonishing .443 hitting percentage.

Junior All-American Berkley Whaley was also an offensive leader for the Spartans, as her 15 kills led all players in the match. The AVCA National Player of the Year recorded a .424 attack average in the victory, tallying two assists and 11 digs. The performance marks her tenth double-double this year.

Senior All-American Meagan Burke and junior All- American Marissa Lisenbee made major impacts in the contest, as well, earning eight and seven kills, respectively. Burke's attack average of .583 was the second-highest of the match for Tampa.

The success of the offense came at the hands of senior All-American setter, Kahley Patrick, whose 44 assists signaled her eclipse of 1,300 for the season. The senior from Clearwater, Fla. also led the team in digs in the victory, registering a game-high 12 digs at four per set.

Defensively, Burke led the way for Tampa at the net with a game-high six blocks. Wagner added three blocks on the evening, including a block assist with Whaley that was the game-winner, as Patrick and Lisenbee also added three apiece.

As a team, Tampa recorded 50 kills and 48 assists in the sweep, earning a .443 attack average and registering 20 combined solo blocks and block assists. The top-ranked Spartans also tallied 44 total digs.

Tampa will compete again next on Friday, December 5 when they take on the winner tonight's 7:30 p.m. matchup between Arkansas Fort-Smith and New Haven. Tomorrow's contest is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. in Louisville, Kentucky.

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

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