#7 Tampa Notches Pair of Victories at Labor Day Classic

TAMPA, Fla. - The seventh-ranked University of Tampa made quick work of its two opponents in the final day of the Labor Day Classic. The Spartans won both matches 3-0, defeating Central Oklahoma (25-19, 25-17, 25-17) and Northern Kentucky (25-21, 25-15, 25-14).

The victories move UT to 3-0 on the season as UCO and NKU drop to 0-3 and 1-2 respectively.

In the first match of the day, Tampa overcame a sluggish start to finish off Central Oklahoma in three sets. Holding a 16-15 lead UT rattled off four consecutive points to give itself momentum to finish off the game.

The Spartans came out strong in the second set, winning the first seven points. Holding a 24-12 lead, Tampa allowed the Bronchos to rally. Central Oklahoma went on to win five straight points before a service error end the game. Tampa never trailed in set three to record the win.

Annalea Warren led Tampa with 14 kills, eight of which came in the third set. Danielle MacDonald chipped in nine while Sam Macks and Camille Hanks each added six.

The Spartans enjoyed a .506 hitting percentage for the match, while limiting the Bronchos to a .190 mark. Hanks was 6-7 with a .857 clip to lead UT as four Spartans hit over .500.

Gabriela Saade led Tampa with 30 assists as she split time with Meghan Sherman (12). Saade also held team honors with 10 digs as she registered her first double-double of the year. Kaleigh Cunningham came off the bench to lead the team with two solo blocks while MacDonald also had a pair of blocks.

Tampa was slow out of the gates in the second match as it rallied for a set one victory. The opening set saw a total of 10 ties and three lead changes before UT pulled away late. Melissa Vanderhall and MacDonald each had four kills to lead Tampa in set one.

The second and third sets were all Tampa as the Spartans never trailed in either frame. A second set tie was the closest Northern Kentucky got as the Spartans used a total of 14 players in the final two sets.

MacDonald led the way with eight kills as Hanks, Vanderhall and Cunningham each had seven while the team hit .400. Saade had 25 assists while Sherman tallied 12 off the bench.

UT's defense was led by Camila Saade, who had seven digs. Warren added six while MacDonald had a team-high three blocks. C. Saade also led Tampa with five service aces.

Tampa returns to action as it hosts the Tampa Classic from Sept. 5-6. The Spartans open up the classic on Friday at 7 p.m., against Minnesota State-Mankato.