Spartans Set to Host SSC Rival Florida Southern

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa volleyball team is set to host SSC rival, Florida Southern on Friday at 7 p.m. before welcoming the Saint Leo Lions Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Match: No. 8 University of Tampa (16-1, 9-0 SSC) vs. Florida Southern College (11-6, 6-3 SSC)

Date/Time:  Friday, October 5 at 7 p.m.

Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, Fla.

Last Time Out: The Spartans defeated the Embry-Riddle Eagles in four sets by scores of 25-13, 25-21, 20-25, and 25-18. In the match, Sorrel Houghton led the Spartans offensively with 14 kills on 35 total attacks, hitting .286 on the night. Following her efforts were those of Katie McKiel who had 11 kills, Melissa Elias who had nine, and Alexandra Misca who had eight. Sammy Mueller served as the team's primary setter, ending the match having earned a double-double with 34 assists and 16 digs. Sparingly, UT also used Elias in the setting position. She too stated a double-double with 14 assists and 12 digs. Nicole Dominguez dressed as libero for the Spartans, logging a team-high of 19 digs in addition to having one service ace.

About the Spartans: The Spartans are riding a ten-game winning streak into the match against Florida Southern. The ten-game winning streak is the longest streak since UT's 12-game winning streak in 2015. Tampa leads the Sunshine State Conference in hitting percentage (.280), assists (13.48 per set), and kills (14.31 per set). Taylor Fosler is first in the conference in hitting percentage (.392), and McKiel and Houghton are fourth and sixth respectively in kills per set.

About the Moccasins: The Moccasins are currently 11-6 overall, 6-3 in the SSC. Last year, the Mocs had the best finish in program history, losing in the national championship game against Concordia-St. Paul. This season FSC is led offensively by outside hitter, Nicole Mattson, who has a team-high of 295 kills. Their next biggest offensive threat is middle blocker Rachel Martin who sits with 163 kills. The Mocs run a 5-1 around senior setter Bethany Besancenez who has a whopping 693 assists, second in the SSC. Florida Southern is currently second in the conference in digs (18.17 per set), largely in part to senior libero, Gabby Fresh who leads the team with 315 total digs.

Series History: The Spartans lead the all-time series over the Moccasins 72-55. However, Tampa has lost in the last three meetings.

Tickets: General Admission ticket prices for all Tampa regular season athletic events are $5. Youth (ages 12 and under) are admitted free of charge. Students and faculty/staff are admitted free with a valid UT ID.

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