First Game Setback Fails to Deter Spartans

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - The second-ranked University of Tampa volleyball team rallied to win three consecutive games after losing the first game to Barry University as the Spartans took the 3-1 victory. With the Sunshine State Conference championship already clinched, UT moves to 27-2 on the season and 14-1 in SSC play as the Buccaneers drop to 11-20 and 3-12 in league action.

The Spartans took a quick lead in game one, holding a 9-3 lead. After leading for nearly the entire first game, Tampa surrendered the lead for the first time as Barry took a 29-28 lead before winning the next point for a 30-28 come from behind win.

Tampa took command in game two, leading throughout, as it wrapped up a 30-19 victory. After a slim 30-27 win in game three, the Spartans avoided a dreaded fifth game with a 30-24 triumph in the fourth game.

Meghan Sherman enjoyed a stellar performance, coming off the bench to register a team-high 41 assists. The freshman also tallied five kills on seven attempts to go with eight digs.

Four Spartans achieved double figures in kills, with Erin Clark registering a team-high 19. The nation's leader in hitting percentage managed a .438 clip for the match. Alisha Green added 13 kills as Katelen Dixon and Annalea Warren had 11 and 10 respectively.

Margeaux Sinibaldi continued to add to her SSC and UT career record in digs as she led the way with 26. Dixon also added 16 for a UT defense that held Barry to a .156 attack percentage.

Tampa, which outblocked the Bucs 13-5, had four blocks from both Dixon and Clark as Green and Ana Kalisnik had three each. Warren was the fifth Spartan with multiple blocks as she was credited with two.

UT concludes the 2007 regular season on Saturday as it meets Lynn in Boca Raton. The match is scheduled for 4 p.m.