Tampa Resumes 2024 Season After Hurricane Milton Postponements
October 14, 2024

Tampa Resumes 2024 Season After Hurricane Milton Postponements

Tampa, Fla. - Still ranked No. 1 in the country, the Spartans return to Sunshine State Conference play with two games this week. Visiting Florida Southern and hosting Barry, Tampa is looking to keep its 2024 undefeated streak alive.

 

No. 1 Tampa vs. Florida Southern 

Tampa: 10-0 | Florida Southern: 8-2

Wednesday, Oct. 16 - 7:00 PM EDT

George W. Jenkins Field House | Lakeland, FLA.

 

No. 1 Tampa vs. No. 21 Barry

Tampa: 10-0 | Barry 10-1

Saturday, Oct. 19 - 4:00 PM EDT

Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, FLA.

 

 ABOUT THE SPARTANS:

  • The Spartans are still ranked No. 1 in the country with a perfect 10-0 record.
  • Rachel Gregg (4.90) is 1st in the SSC while Nathaly Perez (3.33) and Kalli Cors (3.15) round out the top 12 of SSC hitting percentage.
  • Senior setter, Zoey Seput's 11.24 assists per set ranks first across all SSC players.
  • With 4.48 per set, the Spartans' JJ Ramirez leads the SSC in digs per set.
  • Cors (3.97) and Perez (3.40) are also in the top 12 of kills per set, alongside Tess Schrenger (3.10).
  • The Spartans, as a collective, are leading the conference in kills, digs, and assists, per set.

SCOUTING REPORT FLORIDA SOUTHERN:

  • Florida Southern is 8-2 on the season and currently on a four-game winning streak.
  • Similar to the Spartans, the Mocs have only played in two SSC matches this season due to hurricane postponements.
  • Averaging nearly three a set (2.84), Southern is leading the SSC in blocks per set.
  • The Moccasins' defense has held opponents to a hitting percentage of .137 which is third in the conference.
  • Libero and player of the week (9/30 - 10/6), Caroline Chambers is currently averaging 4.27 digs each set, second only to UTampa's Ramirez across the conference.

SERIES HISTORY:

  • The Moccasins have beaten the Spartans in 56 of 139 total meetings.
  • With a .40 winning percentage, Florida Southern is the most successful SSC team facing Tampa.
  • UTampa is currently on a 10-game winning streak against Florida Southern.

SCOUTING REPORT BARRY:

  • Currently, 10-1 on the season, the Buccaneers have won three of their four conference games.
  • Barry's defense is dominating the SSC statistically, as the sole leader in the following categories: Opponent hitting percentage, opponent assists, opponent kills, and opponent digs.
  • The Bucs are also leading the conference in points, hitting percentage, and aces, while ranking third in kills.
  • Former Division II Player of the Year, Diana Akopova is leading the Sunshine State Conference in kills and points as she is averaging 5.00 and 5.63, respectively. 
  • Barry currently has three players in the top 6 of aces per set: Varvara Osychenko (1st), Ivana Zujovic (T-5th), and Veronika Eremeeva (T-5th). 

SERIES HISTORY:

  • The Spartans have won 61 of the 82 matches against the Buccaneers.
  • The longest winning streak (19 games) between the two came to an end in 2018, in favor of Tampa.
  • Barry's last victory over Tampa came in 2022, which sent the Bucs to the NCAA Championship.