Spartans Get Spooked By Mocs Opening SSC Play

Tampa falls in five to Florida Southern it's first conference match of the season.

Spartans Get Spooked By Mocs Opening SSC Play
September 19, 2017
LAKELAND, Fla. – The University of Tampa falls to rival Florida Southern College in five, with set scores of 22-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-15, and 15-10. 
 
The Spartans fall to 2-7 on the year with a 0-1 record to start Sunshine State Conference play. 
 
Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Dominguez ended the evening leading the Spartans on offense and defense with a double-double recording 16 kills and 17 digs on the match. Fellow sophomore Courtney Vogler also finished big for the Spartans stating 12 kills, five blocks, two aces, and one dig in the match. In addition, the setting duo of Jen Aprile and Melissa Elias also earned double-doubles with 22 assists and 14 digs, and 18 assists and 16 digs respectively.
 
Tampa took the first set of the contest as they finished with a .324 attacking percentage compared to Florida Southern who hit .095. Dominguez set the tone of the set, logging a solo stuff block on the very first point of the match. Freshman Nylah Demps then stole the show for the remainder of the set, going into the second game with six kills at a .500 kill percentage.
 
Florida Southern took set two after jumping out to a fast start as Allie Geary aced the Spartans twice at the service line. The Moccasins then continued to serve tough throughout the match, making it hard for Tampa to get a handle on their serve receive passing. This was made evident when Anna Tovo aced the Spartans on two other occasions shifting the momentum pendulum back into FSC's favor that eventually lead them to defeat Tampa 25-21.
 
UT battled to a 25-21 victory in the third set after regaining confidence from back-to-back-to-back blocks. The first from duo Demps and Vogler, followed from two by Vogler and Elias.
 
In the fourth set, the officials failed to check Tampa's starting lineup, resulting in a five-minute game delay and confusion throughout the fieldhouse. Once the Spartans were back in formation, they struggled to find their rhythm allowing Florida Southern to run away with a 25-15 victory. 
 
The fifth and final set was a continuation of the fourth. FSC was fast to start, which allowed them to defeat Tampa 15-10 to end the match. 
 
Despite the Spartans finishing the match with 16 more digs than the Moccasins, Tampa was unable to overcome the strong swing of Florida Southern, falling 72-54 in the all-time series between the two schools, with Tampa having lost the last two showdowns.
 
UT hopes to bounce back and will continue conference play Saturday, Sept. 23 hosting Lynn University for a match slated for 4 p.m. The game will serve as the Live for 24 Memorial Match and will honor the legacy of former UT standout Melissa Vanderhall, who passed away earlier this year. 
 
Live stats and a live video webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.
 
 
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