UT’s Wagner Blocks Buccaneer Offense in Sweep

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - The No. 2 University of Tampa volleyball team stopped Barry University 3-0 Saturday. The Spartans improve to 23-1 and a perfect 10-0 mark in Sunshine State Conference play while the Buccaneers dip to 8-13 and 1-9 in conference.

Middle blocker Meagan Burke torched the Bucs for a nine-kill salvo at a .467 hitting percentage. Fellow middle Jessica Wagner was a force at the net, blocking eight attacks and planting six kills.

Junior Jackie Neff and senior Holly Reschke amassed nine and seven kills respectively, while the latter picked up four blocks. Outside hitter Berkley Whaley rounded out the Spartan offense with seven kills and three service aces. The sophomore led the defense with 13 digs as libero Jen Scholz reached double-digits with 10 digs.

Tampa took the first set with a 25-12 score as Neff pummeled the Bucs in a 4-for-5 showing while Wagner smacked three kills at a .750 attack percentage. Sophomore Whaley led the defense with six digs to open up the premier stanza.

The second frame was led by Wagner, as the sophomore blocked four Barry swings and also grounded a pair of kills toward the 25-23 victory. Whaley tallied four digs, three kills and two service aces in the second frame while sophomore Scholz mirrored with four digs to her credit.

Tampa took the final set by a 25-22 margin to remain perfect in conference. The UT squad totaled 11 team blocks as Wagner contributed an astounding eight in the three set sweep.

The Spartans return home to face Eckerd College Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Martinez Athletic Center. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

Fans may also follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans). UT also offers blAst, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.