Spartans Solve the Embry-Riddle 3 Sets to 2

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The University of Tampa defeated the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles three sets to two in a five-set thriller. The Spartans move to 2-4 in SSC play, while the Eagles fall to 2-5.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 3, Embry-Riddle 2  (22-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-21,15-13)
Records: Tampa Spartans (4-10, 2-4 SSC), Embry-Riddle (4-6, 2-5 SSC)
Location: ICI Center | Daytona Beach, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

Set 1 | Embry-Riddle took the first set 25-22. The setting duo of Sammy Mueller and Jen Aprile did a nice job of distributing the ball to multiple attackers. Freshman Nylah Demps had an outstanding set, with five kills on five attempts hitting a perfect 1.000. Following the offensive efforts of Demps, was fellow freshman Sorrel Houghton who logged four kills on six attempts with only one error. Houghton hit .500 in the game. Kaitlyn Ajmani started at Libero for Tampa picking up one dig, while Taylor Fosler and Danielle Christian played opposite each other in the middle.

Set 2 | Tampa jumped out to a fast start causing the Eagles to use their first timeout when they trailed 10-7. Once again, UT was led on offense by Demps and Houghton who each contributed two kills. Demps continued to have a perfect match on the pin, still hitting 1.000 for the Spartans. Middle Taylor Fosler added to the Spartans offensive performance with two kills at a .500 kill percentage. Additionally, Ajmani continued in the libero position for UT logging five digs in the set. Tampa held a slight point advantage over the Eagles and was able to close out the game with a kill from Nicole Dominguez, 25-22.

Set 3 | After intermission, both teams took the court ready to battle. The Spartans subbed in Alexandra Misca in the middle, who recorded one kill and one block. Dominguez came out of intermission a new person. She contributed eight kills, 10 digs and two blocks in the set. Fosler also made her presence known, with two kills and two blocks. Despite their efforts, UT was unable to stop Melanie Canfield who powered six kills at an outstanding .429 kill percentage. The Eagles took the set 25-21.

Set 4 | UT took the fourth set 25-21. The Spartans moved senior Kasey Reynolds to libero who dug the Eagles on seven different occasions. Houghton continued to be one of the Spartans greatest offensive threats with five kills. Additionally, Demps picked up four. Mueller and Aprile continued to serve as the Spartans primary distributors, recording seven and nine assists respectively.

Set 5 | Nicole Dominguez set the tone of the fifth set with a kill followed by a stuff block giving Tampa a 2-0 lead. With the momentum in favor of the Spartans, they were able to cushion a five-point lead before Embry-Riddle was forced to call a timeout. Both middle hitters, Misca and Fosler had two kills in the set. Reynolds held the bro position in the fifth set and logged four more digs, ending the night with 11. Even though the Eagles fought as hard as they could, Tampa solved the Embry-Riddle with a final set score of 15-13.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Nicole Dominguez recorded her third double-double of the season, with 18 kills and 13 digs in the match. Additionally, she recorded three blocks for the Spartans.  

• Nylah Demps recorded a career-high and season-high 17 kills in the match. It also should be noted that she had a perfect match heading into intermission, hitting 1.000 for the Spartans.

• Sorrell Houghton also recorded both a career and season-high in kills with 18 on the match.

• Both Jen Aprile and Sammy Mueller stated a season-highs of 32 and 33 assists respectively.  

• Alexandra Misca tied her season-high with five kills.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Tampa leads the all-time series against the Eagles 6-0.

UP NEXT:

Tampa continues its road weekend against the Panthers of Florida Tech, October 7, at 4 pm. The Spartans will then continue the 2017 season traveling to Birmingham, Alabama for the South Region Crossover October 13th and 14th. Live stats and a live video webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com. 

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