Tampa Advances to Elite Eight to Defend Title

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa volleyball team made quick work of arch rival Florida Southern with a 3-0 win in the NCAA South Regional final. The defending national champions advance to the Elite Eight where they will continue their defense of the 2006 national championship. The Spartans improve to 31-2 while the Mocs end their season at 26-9.

Following a pair of close games with 30-27 and 30-26 Tampa victories, the Spartans closed out the Moccasins with a 30-19 game three where they trailed just once at 2-1.

After getting out to a 16-7 game one lead, Tampa allowed Florida Southern back into the game. With the Mocs carrying at 26-25 edge, Tampa went on a key 5-1 run to close out the game.

Game two was similar as the Mocs failed to hold on to a 24-23 advantage. The Spartans closed out that game on a 7-1 run before cruising to an easy victory in the deciding game.

Katelen Dixon led the way for Tampa with a match high 15 kills. Teammates Danielle MacDonald and Erin Clark joined her in double figures with 13 apiece while Clark finished with an impressive .565 hitting percentage to aid her national leading clip.

Gabriela Saade led UT with 49 of the team's 53 assists. Dixon also added two service aces for the Spartans.

Margeaux Sinibaldi led Tampa with 20 digs as Dixon added 10. Green and MacDonald were tops among Spartan defenders with three blocks apiece. They anchored a UT defense that held FSC to a .252 attack percentage. The Spartans finished at .350.

UT advances to the Elite Eight, at a site to be announced. The finals are scheduled for November 29 to December 1.

2007 NCAA South Regional all-tournament team
Erin Clark, Tampa
Katelen Dixon, Tampa
Danielle Durham, Florida Southern
Danielle Higginbotham, Florida Southern
Ashley Martin, Florida Southern
Lacy Redwine, Lynn
Christie Schade, Lynn
Margeaux Sinibaldi, Tampa
Beverly Stasis, Florida Southern
Aley Tallman, Nova Southeastern
Annalea Warren, Tampa
Devon Woolard, Lynn