Tampa Wins Two to Open South Region Crossover
PENSACOLA, Fla. - The second-ranked University of Tampa (9-1) breezed past Albany State University (0-3) in a three game sweep, which was a tune-up for a highly anticipated match with the undefeated University of West Florida (9-1). The Spartans came to play in the nightcap, notching another three-game sweep while handing UWF their first loss of the season.
Against Albany State, the Spartans were victorious by scores of 30-15, 30-17, 30-18. The Spartans recorded scores of 30-24, 30-20, 30-26 in the victory over the Argonauts.
The Golden Rams proved to be no match for the Spartans, who used 12 players but were without regular starter Danielle MacDonald and top reserve Annalea Warren.
Erin Clark led UT with 11 kills while Neely Thomson added eight and Alisha Green and Melissa Vanderhall added seven apiece. Gabriela Saade started at setter and recorded 18 assists as freshman Meghan Sherman made her Spartan debut in game two and led UT with 23 assists.
The Spartans, who held Albany State to a -.091 hitting percentage, were led by Margeaux Sinibaldi with six digs. Thomson led the way with three blocks while Green and Clark had two apiece.
UT outhit West Florida .287 to .161, which proved to be a deciding factor in the victory. Clark led UT once again, registering 16 kills to go with a .536 hitting percentage. Green was also in double figures, recording 11. Saade led the way with 41 of UT's 47 assists.
Sinibaldi held team honors with 21 digs as Clark had four blocks. The Spartans finished with seven total blocks, compared to four by the Argonauts. Dixon also added two blocks.
Sinibaldi, who is UT's all-time leader in digs, moves closer to the Sunshine State Conference career record as she now stands at 1,788 career digs. She now needs four digs to move past Kari Wanat (Florida Tech) for second place all-time and 27 to pass Sara Stewart for the top spot.
Tampa concludes its three-match set at the South Region Crossover tomorrow as it faces Alabama-Huntsville at 10 a.m.
Team Stats
Albany State
Game Statistics | Tampa | Albany State |
---|---|---|
Hitting % | .352 | -.091 |
Blocks | 7.0 | 4.0 |
Digs | 28 | 17 |
Aces | 9 | 0 |
West Florida
Game Statistics | Tampa | West Florida |
---|---|---|
Hitting % | .287 | .161 |
Blocks | 7.0 | 4.0 |
Digs | 45 | 57 |
Aces | 6 | 3 |