#5 Tampa Takes Pair to Remain Undefeated

TAMPA, Fla. - The fifth-ranked University of Tampa volleyball team moved to a perfect 6-0 with a 3-0 win over Colorado State-Pueblo (2-5) and a 3-1 victory over Ferris State (6-3) in the nightcap of the Tampa Classic.

The Spartans cruised past CSU-Pueblo, winning by scores of 25-10, 25-17 and 25-15. Against Ferris State, the Spartans had their hands full after losing set one by a score of 25-22. Tampa rebounded to win the next three, 25-22, 25-18 and 27-25.

Camila Saade stole the headlines as her 10 service aces set a new UT record for a three set match. Saade also set a school record with five consecutive aces in game one. Her 10 aces topped Danielle Faggion's previous record of eight from the 1996 season.

Kaleigh Cunningham and freshman Eva Dupay led UT with seven kills apiece. Dupay registered six of her seven in game two. Freshman Eileen Bien-Aime received her first career start and finished with four kills, as did Annalea Warren, Brianne Yeates and Melissa Vanderhall.

Freshman Julie Howlett recorded her first double figure digs effort of her young career, leading the Spartans with 11. Meghan Sherman added 16 assists while Gabriela Saade had 10.

Against Ferris State, the Bulldogs seized the early momentum after winning the first set. FSU then held the lead throughout the majority of the second set as well. The Bulldogs held a 17-11 advantage before UT an 8-1 run to turn the tide. Sam Macks helped hold the UT lead as she recorded blocks in three of the final four UT points.

After winning set three soundly, Tampa had a tough battle in the fourth set. No team led by more than three points in the entire set, which included six ties. Trailing 25-24, Tampa won three straight to claim the victory as the Spartans won on a block by Bien-Aime and Yeates.

Danielle MacDonald led Tampa with 16 kills to go with a .412 hitting percentage. The balance Spartan lineup had seven players with multiple kills.

Gabriela Saade led the team with 26 assists while Sherman added 13. Camila Saade had a season-high 18 digs as Cunningham had 10. Bien-Aime led the team with a career-high five blocks while Macks added four. MacDonald and Yeates each had three.

UT will play again on Friday at the South Region Crossover in Lakeland as it meets Clarion at 5 p.m. The matches will be played at Florida Southern College. The Spartans will also play a pair of matches on Saturday, versus West Florida at 11 a.m., and West Georgia at 4 p.m.