Spartans Fall to Eckerd in Tuesday Night Battle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Spartans Fall to Eckerd in Tuesday Night Battle.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 

Final Score: No. 4 Tampa 2 (1: 25-18, 4: 25-20) Eckerd 3 (1: 25-20 3: 25-23 5: 15-13)

Records: No. 4 Tampa (14-2, 7-2 SSC), Eckerd (13-4, 5-4 SSC)

Location: McArthur Center|| St. Petersburg, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

First Set: Tampa travelled to Eckerd in hopes of claiming its third win in five days coming off a weekend road trip. The Spartans jumped out to an early six point lead on the back of a serving run from freshman outside hitter Tess Schrenger. The Tritons however, pulled within one point by midway through the set. But Tampa would utilize two four-point runs to build a sizable gap and take the first set. Score: 25-18 (1-0 Tampa)

Second Set: To start the second frame it was the Tritons this time built an early lead, forcing a timeout from the Spartans, who faced a five-point deficit. Following the timeout Eckerd maintained its lead for much of the second set until Tampa drew within one point at 19-20. Eckerd would close out the second taking five of the last six points. Score: 25-20 (1-1 Tie)

Third Set: The Tritons didn't take the pedal off the gas at the start of the third, but the Spartans kept them at bay drawing close to midway through the set. Eckerd gained a five-point advantage just after the midway point utilizing a 6-2 run, an advantage that proved just enough to get them over the line and take the third set. Score: 25-23 (2-1 Eckerd)

Fourth Set: Determined to avoid the midweek upset the Spartans came out fast in the fourth and gained a seven-point advantage, an advantage that the Spartans maintained throughout the set. Setters Emily Noe and Zoey Seput distributed the ball excellently throughout the fourth, with six hitters registering multiple kills for the Spartans. Score: 25-20 (2-2 Tie)

Fifth Set: The battle for the fifth and final set opened with a 4-1 run from the Tritons, forcing an early timeout from Tampa. The Spartans would respond with a four-point run of their own and brought the score back to level at 7-7. The match remained a one-point affair and drew close to completion at 14-13, forcing another timeout from the Spartans. The Tritons served tough coming out of the timeout, forcing free ball from Tampa, and would capitalize with a kill to end the match. Score: 15-13 (3-2 Eckerd)

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Four  Spartans had 10 or more kills: Kalli Cors (16), Schrnger (13) Hayley Dillion (11), and middle Mackenzie Dufresne (10)
• Noe and Seput both finished the night with 30 or more assists.