No. 4 Spartan Volleyball to Clash with Nova Southeastern

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa volleyball team is geared up to host Sunshine State Conference rival Nova Southeastern University in the Spartans' first home game in nearly three weeks.

The Match: No. 4 University of Tampa (24-1, 14-0 SSC) vs. Nova Southeastern University (5-19, 3-11 SSC)

Date/Time:  Friday, October 26 at 7 p.m.

Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, Fla.

Last Time Out: The Spartans swept Rollins College in three sets for the second time this season. Sophomore outside hitter Katie McKiel led the Spartans to victory with a team-high 14 kills, hitting .303. Junior middle blocker Taylor Fosler finished the night with nine kills on 13 attempts as well as two digs and a block assist. The win extended the Spartans' series lead over the Tars to 90-6.

About the Spartans: The Spartans are riding an 18-game winning streak into the match against Nova Southeastern. The 18-game winning streak is the longest streak since UT's 30-game winning streak in 2014. Tampa would go on to lift the national championship trophy that same season. The Spartans lead the Sunshine State Conference in hitting percentage (.278), assists (13.53 per set), and kills (14.31 per set). Fosler is first in the conference in hitting percentage (.417), and Houghton and McKiel are third and fifth respectively in kills per set. Alexandra Misca is sixth in the SSC in hitting percentage (.362), and setter Sammy Mueller is fourth in assists with 10.04 per set.

About the Sharks: The Sharks are coming off a 3-2 loss against Valdosta State University in the South Region Crossover. Nova Southeastern is led by senior outside hitter Denvyr Tyler-Palmer. The Jacksonville, Fla. native has tallied a team-high 257 kills and sits eighth in the SSC with 3.47 kills per set. Senior libero Megan Burns leads the conference in service aces per set (0.44) and sits in third in digs (5.50 per set). The Sharks are searching for their sixth win of the season, a tally that would tie their 2017 season total.

Series History: The Spartans lead the all-time series over Nova Southeastern 32-1. Tampa has won 19 straight against the Sharks. Nova Southeastern's lone win against the Spartans came in 2008 in a five-set thriller.

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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