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Volleyball Preview: No. 1 Tampa Returns Home, Will Honor Alumni and Chris Catanach
October 9, 2025

Volleyball Preview: No. 1 Tampa Returns Home, Will Honor Alumni and Chris Catanach

TAMPA, Fla. - The newly ranked No. 1 Spartans will play a pair of matches at the Bob Martinez Center this weekend. On Friday, October 10th, Tampa will face Eckerd with the first serve set for 7:00 PM. UTampa will honor former head coach Chris Catanach on Saturday, October 11th, when the team matches up with Rollins at 4:00 PM.

ABOUT THE SPARTANS

  • The Spartans are ranked No. 1 in the AVCA Coaches Poll for the first time this season.
  • Tampa boasts an impressive 12-0 record and is coming off road trip victories over PBA and NSU.
  • Ana Rivera was named SSC Defensive Player of the Week after recording 34 digs, which is tied fifth all-time in the program for digs in a single match.
  • Senior Nathaly Perez is just eight kills away from reaching 1,000 for her career.
  • Brian Imperiale and Chris Catanach are the only coaches in the history of the program to start their careers 12-0.
  • The program will honor its alumni this weekend and pay tribute to former head coach Chris Catanach during its match against Rollins on Saturday.
  • Tampa is also coming off a match versus NSU in which the team registered 105 digs. 

SCOUTING ECKERD

  • Eckerd holds an 11-4 record and is 1-3 in SSC play.
  • The Tritons started off 1-0 in conference but have dropped the last three to ERAU, Lynn, and Barry.
  • Kinga Michalska leads the SSC in aces with 34 and ranks third for aces averaged per set.
  • Michalska also ranks second for total points.
  • Gabi Jedrzejczak is third for most assists in the league.

SCOUTING ROLLINS

  • Rollins is 11-6 and 0-4 in conference.
  • Jenna Garza and Rylee Yarborough rank in the top five in the SSC for most service aces.
  • Garza has also totaled 396 assists, which is the sixth most in the league.
  • Makayla Moran leads the SSC in hitting percentage (.380).
  • Moran and teammate Vivian Scuteri both rank third and fourth for blocks per set.

SERIES HISTORY

  • Utampa is 102-3 all-time in the series against Eckerd.
  • Tampa is 102-6 all-time versus Rollins, winning the last 15.

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