UT Opens SSC Title Defense with Sweep of Eckerd

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Taking the court as the nation's top-ranked team for the first time since 2007, the University of Tampa Spartans volleyball team cruised to a 3-0 win over the Eckerd Tritons in the first Sunshine State Conference meeting of the season. Tampa improves its overall record to 6-2 while Eckerd falls to 5-4.

The Spartans cruised in the first set, winning 25-15 as sophomore Jessica Yingling led the way with four kills.

Set two was a little closer as the home team was able to force several long rallies that stalled the Tampa offense at times. However, several key aces from Yingling and Melissa Vanderhall paved the way for a 25-20 win.

The final frame of match began with each team trading points until the score was knotted at nine. From there, UT ran away with the set using an 11-4 run to eventually win 25-17 and complete the sweep.

Yingling was the only player on either team to post double-figure kills with 11 and Kaleigh Cunningham finished with nine on the night. Vanderhall tallied six more kills and added three service aces as the team finished with eight. Senior setter Meghan Sherman put down three kills on five swings and handed out a match-best 29 assists.

Sherman completed her fourth double-double of the season after notching 10 digs. Libero Julie Howlett registered 21 scoops and Vanderhall 11 to give UT 64 total digs, four more than the Tritons.

Camille Hanks paced the defense at the net, helping out on seven blocks as Tampa stuffed Eckerd 12 times. Yingling had her hand in six blocks, including two solos, to help keep Eckerd at .092 attack percentage for the match.

Lindsey Biggs led the Tritons with seven kills and Hallie Ward recorded 13 digs.

Tampa continues its road swing this weekend, traveling to Florence, Ala. for the North Alabama Regional Crossover. The Spartans will face Gulf South Conference opponents Harding and West Florida on Friday at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. respectively. Tampa will then take on host North Alabama at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Webcast and live stats will be available through tampaspartans.com. Fans can also stay up to date with the latest news and information by following the Spartans on Twitter at twitter.com/utspartans.