TITLE GAME BOUND

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The No. 1 seed, University of Tampa, SWEEPS the No. 5 seed, Washburn University, punching their ticket into the National Championship match. The Spartans defeated the Ichabods by set scores of 25-23, 25-19, 25-15. Tampa will advance to the National Championship match tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. against Western Washington University. This is the University of Tampa's seventh trip to the National Championship match, with the Spartans winning the title in 2006, and 2014. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: No. 1 University of Tampa 3, No. 5 Washburn University 0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-15)
Records: Tampa Spartans (32-4, 17-3 SSC) vs. Washburn Ichabods (33-5, 15-3 MIAA)
Location: A.J. Palumbo Center | Pittsburgh, Pa. 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

TITLE GAME BOUND! The University of Tampa Spartans sweep the Washburn University Ichabods by set scores of 25-23, 25-19, and 25-15. Tampa advances to the program's seventh national title match, with UT having won it all in 2006 and 2014. Tampa's offensive kill leader on the night was sophomore outside hitter, Katie McKiel, now known to the fans as Katie McKILL. McKiel ended the three-set semifinal with 13 kills on 45 total attempts. Following her offensive efforts was that of right-side hitter Nylah Demps and middle hitter Taylor Fosler, who each recorded eight kills on the night. Demps hit .353 in the match, while Fosler hit an outstanding .800, committing zero errors on 10 attempts. Fosler also came up huge with five blocks for the Spartans, just behind McKiels team-high of six. Adding to the Spartans kill total included Sorrel Houghton with six, Alexandra Misca with three, and Sarah Luoma with two. Sammy Mueller quarterbacked the Spartans with 31 assists and six digs. Tampa's defensive efforts were led by libero Nicole Dominguez who dug the Ichabods a team-high of 17 times. Melissa Elias had 13 digs for the Spartans, followed by defensive specialist, Claudia Rivera with 11. 

 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Taylor Fosler hit an outstanding .800, her second highest hitting percentage of the season.  
• Nicole Dominguez recorded a team-high of two service aces, followed by Claudia Rivera and Katie McKiel each with one. 
• McKiel led the Spartans in kills and blocks with 13 and six respectively. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
This was the second time in program history that the Spartans and Ichabods have faced each other. This win for Tampa ties the all-time series against Washburn, 1-1.  

UP NEXT:
The Spartans will compete in the NCAA National Championship, December 1, against Western Washington University. The Championship match will take place at 3:00 p.m. Live stats and a live video webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.

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