Spartans Volleyball Complete Weekend 4-0 to Begin Season
LAKELAND, Fla. - Emerging from the FSC/Terrace Hotel Classic a perfect 4-0, the No. 2 University of Tampa volleyball team won its pair of Saturday matches.
The Spartans took their first victory against Wisconsin-Parkside 3-0 then picked up a win against Anderson S.C. 3-1 to complete their tournament games. The Rangers of UWP dip to 2-1 on the season while the Trojans of AU plummet to 0-4.
Holly Reschke grounded 20 kills between the two matches and has put forth an excellent start to her senior campaign with 31 kills through the four game tournament at a .424 clip. Junior Jackie Neff was equally impressive, contributing 18 kills on the day and a team leading 35 kills for the tournament.
Setter Kahley Patrick contributed six service aces in the two victories while also aiding the Spartan attack with a 40 assist day.
Libero Jen Scholz picked up 26 digs over her three sets of work on the day to go along with three service aces.
The Spartans took yet another straight set sweep against Wisconsin-Parkside by scores of 25-16, 25-14, and 26-24. Junior Neff led the squad with nine kills while Berkeley Whaley tallied eight alongside her four digs, two blocks and two service aces.
Jacksonville, Fla. native Meagan Burke swatted six kills at an errorless .750 hitting percentage while Reschke put forth a 7-for-12 showing in her two sets of work. Setter Patrick paced the Tampa offense with her 22 assists but also notched three each of kills and service aces.
Libero Scholz picked up 12 digs in the third set to lead the team on defense as Jessica Wagner blocked four Ranger attacks at the net.
The Spartans totaled nine service aces in the victory and have continued their strong net presence with eight total blocks.
In their second and final match of the FSC/Terrace Hotel Classic, the Spartans continued their success with a 3-1 victory over Anderson, S.C. (25-16, 25-17, 16-25, 25-12).
Offensive tandem Reschke and Neff continued to punish opponents as the duo swatted 13 and 9 kills respectively. Setters Gina Clarke and Patrick led the offensive tempo with 24 and 18 assists while the latter served a trio of aces in the win.
Defensively the floor was covered by liberos Scholz and Frances Cardenas as the two split sets with 14 and nine digs to complement eight from Reschke.
Tampa v. Wisconsin-Parkside Box Score
Tampa v. Anderson, S.C. Box Score
Tampa heads west to the Colorado Premier Challenge to face foes West Texas A & M and co-host Regis in a pair of Friday matchups.
Live stats will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com.
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