#4 Spartans Survive Against Lynn

Team Stats

October 12, 2008
Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The fourth-ranked University of Tampa (16-1, 7-1 SSC) volleyball team took the first two sets before Lynn University (12-10, 3-4 SSC) won the third and fourth frames to force a deciding set that was won by the Spartans. UT has now won seven straight matches, all in Sunshine State Conference play.

After picking up an easy 25-14 victory in the first set, Tampa did not take its first lead until it went up 7-6. Lynn stayed strong before UT broke a 15-15 tie with 10 of the next 15 points to secure the 25-20 win and go up 2-0.

In set three, the Fighting Knights took a 16-9 lead and held on for the decisive 25-15 set three victory before winning the fourth set by a 25-19 mark. After trailing 3-2 early, Lynn would never trail again in the fourth as it forced a final and deciding set of play.

Melissa Vanderhall started the fifth set off with a kill and served UT to the next two points as the Spartans got out to a 3-0 lead. Tampa led 6-2 before Lynn won five of the next six points to knot the score at 7-7. The Spartans responded with three straight points, and following a pair of side out, went on another run of three consecutive points to take a 14-9 lead. UT went on to win the final set by a score of 15-10.

Vanderhall led the Spartans with 16 kills, including a 3-5 effort in the final set. Danielle MacDonald also added 14 kills as Gabriela Saade accounted for 35 assists. Sam Macks and Meghan Sherman led the team with two service aces apiece.

Camila Saade led the UT defense with 19 digs as her sister was the only other Spartan in double figures with 14. Vanderhall also added eight digs. Macks and MacDonald led the team with three blocks apiece.

The Spartans now travel to Florence, Ala., where they will play three matches at the University of North Alabama Tournament. UT will meet North Alabama on Friday at 5 p.m., before facing West Florida and Alabama-Huntsville on Saturday.

UT will offer live stats through www.tampaspartans.com. Fans may also sign up for eScores, a free service that sends game scores via text message or email.