Tampa Swept The Courts In Style On Senior Day

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa Beach Volleyball team honored ten seniors while finishing their regular season at home with back-to-back sweeps. 

The Spartans opened up the final Tampa Invite of the 2024 season with a convincing win against the Tritons as each court won in straight sets. Similar to the first meeting this year, Anna Bayes and Hailey Peterson competed in the 5's pairing of the first flight, but battled new faces from the opposing team. However, that did not faze Bayes and Peterson as they would demonstrate their strengths as a duo and beat Eckerd for the second time. In the 4's pairing, Cassidy Ehrie and Angel Williams took command and would secure another win for Tampa, making it their seventh win this season as partners. In the second flight, Nevaeh Wolfe and Hailey Wolfe made quick work in the 3's pairing as they would win 21-11 and 21-6 to help clinch the duel for the Spartans. Still on the court, Olivia Margolies and Payton Brunick were being challenged in the first set by their opponents in the 1's pairing while Keely Hamilton and Madison Brunick were starting to make their way in the second set in the 2's. Both pairings would win their matches to seal the deal and give Tampa the sweep. 

After honoring those seniors and their dedication to the program, Tampa stepped out onto the court to compete against another familiar foe, Florida Southern. In a similar fashion to the first duel, the Spartans would win in straight sets on all, but one court. In the 5's, seniors Ashley Brin and Brooke Pater took the court one last time and defeated their opponents 21-17 and 21-10 to acquire the first win between the two teams. Ehrie and Williams competed in the 4's and would rise up to the challenge to win a tight matchup at 19-11 and 21-19. The Wolfe's took quick control of the first set and would fend off their FSC opponents to secure the match win once again. Margolies and Brunick would be the fourth pair to finish, making the win their 16th as a 1's pairing this season. Last on court was Hamilton and Brunick as they pushed the match to a third set after losing the first and securing the second. In a thrilling third, Hamilton and Brunick would win and help the Spartans earn their fifth consecutive sweep. 

Tampa 5, Eckerd 0

1. Olivia Margolies/Payton Brunick (UT) def. Madison Hardbarger/Anna Jupin (EC) 21-16, 21-7
2. Keely Hamilton/Madison Brunick (UT) def. Addie White/Melanie Silva (EC) 21-11, 21-12
3. Nevaeh Wolfe/Hailey Wolfe (UT) def. Elissa Johnson/Bekah Overley (EC) 21-11, 21-6
4. Cassidy Ehrie/Angel Williams (UT) def. Jocelyn Escoffery/Maria Olivares-Cely (EC) 21-11, 21-4
5. Anna Bayes/Hailey Peterson (UT) def. Teagan VanderMey/Rachel Jackson (EC) 21-16, 21-11

Tampa 5, Florida Southern 0

1. Olivia Margolies/Payton Brunick (UT) def. Emma Winford/Ashli McKenny (FSC) 21-15, 21-13
2. Keely Hamilton/Madison Brunick (UT) def. Sarah Crocker/Reagan Carlton (FSC) 16-21, 21-16, 15-11
3. Nevaeh Wolfe/Hailey Wolfe (UT) def. Hayley St. Martin/Mary Olivia Muti (FSC) 21-6, 21-14
4. Cassidy Ehrie/Angel Williams (UT) def. Christina Ramazio/Sydney Melcher (FSC) 19-11, 21-19
5. Ashley Brin/Brooke Pater (UT) def. Hailey Carefoot/Jackie Schner (FSC) 21-17, 21-10

Up Next: Tampa will hit the road to Tavares to compete in the AVCA Championships next week from April 11th-14th.