Spartans Shipwreck Buccaneers in Three-Set Sweep
TAMPA, Fla-The No. 3 University of Tampa volleyball team defeated Barry University off a three-set sweep in the Martinez Athletic Center.
The Spartans improve to 9-1, 2-0 in the Sunshine State Conference while Buccaneers falls to 4-5, 0-2 in the SSC.
Sophomore Berkley Whaley led the team with double-digit kills of 15 while junior Meagan Burke registered a perfect 6-for-6 in kills and three blocks. Sophomore Marissa Lisenbee joins her teammates recording seven kills with three blocks as the team swung .500 in the straight set win.
Barry's Ashley Carrero had a team-high of eight kills. Middle blocker Laine Cielena followed closely behind her teammate notching seven kills with an additional block.
The Spartans opened the game with a 25-17 point victory. Whaley and Lisenbee paved the way with six and five kills respectively. Barry's Jenny Trinidad sparked hope for the Buccaneers registering two service aces but the team fell short.
Tampa continued their barrage in the second frame outscoring Barry by 11 points (25-14). Once again, Berkley notched six kills and a service ace with senior Holly Reschke's support registering four. Buccaneer Carrero tallied five kills in the team's 14 total points.
The Spartans dominated the final stanza keeping the Buccaneers in single digit points to round out the game 25-9. The Berkley-Lisenbee struck again leading the set with five kills. Four Spartans registered service aces to bring home the team's victory.
Barry proved no match for the Tampa onslaught as the Spartans out-hit the Bucs 49 kills to 24, limiting BU to a .153 clip.
The Spartans will host the Sailfish of Palm Beach Atlantic University on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. Live stats in addition to a live video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.tv.
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