WEEKEND PREVIEW: No. 3 Tampa Travels to Orlando for 2023 South Region Crossover Tournament

Saturday, 12:15 p.m. vs Mississippi College

Saturday, 7 p.m. vs West Florida

#3 Tampa

• With no games during the week, the Spartans will travel east to Orlando for the 2023 South Region Crossover Tournament; Last season, Tampa left the tournament in Hoover, Alabama, with 3 dominating wins after only conceding 1 set. Coming off yet another successful week with wins over in-conference rivals in Florida Southern and Embry-Riddle, Tampa remains undefeated with an astonishing 17-0 record. The Spartan's statistical domination within the Sunshine State Conference continues as the only category that they aren't either No. 1, 2, or 3 are digs allowed by opponents. Kalli Cors is tied for the No. 1 position across all of the SSC in aces as she now averages 0.48 per set. JJ Ramirez recorded her 278th dig of the season against Embry-Riddle which ranks in at No. 1 in the SSC as it equates to 4.96 per set. 

Auburn-Montgomery

• Currently, on a two-game win streak, the Auburn-Montgomery Warhawks are currently 16-6 and have gone 6-4 when matched up against conference opponents. Although ranked No. 5 in the Gulf South Conference, the Warhawks have the second-best overall winning percentage in the conference at .727, only trailing West Florida. The Warhawks defense this season has helped them lead the GSC in assists, kills, and hitting percentage allowed from opponents; Holding rivals to 8.43 assists, 9.37 kills, and a hitting percentage of .129, however, the Warhawks offense is also in the top 3 the GSC in those same statistical categories, as well as only allowing 12.60 opponent digs per set, which ranks in at No. 2.

Mississippi-College

• Despite an overall record of 8-9, the Choctaws have gone 7-3 against their Gulf South Conference opponents this season which has resulted in their fourth overall ranking. Junior, Lydia Paulette, and Sophomore, Caroline Chastang, are currently No. 2 and 3 in the GSC as they are both averaging over 3 kills per set, at 3.64 and 3.04, respectively. Paulette has also recorded the second-most points across the entire GSC with 283.5. Conversely, the Choctaw team as a whole is top 3 in the following statistical categories: Opponent assists, kills, blocks, and digs. 

West Florida

• Entering the NCAA South Region Crossover tournament as the No. 1 ranked team in their Gulf South Conference, the Argonauts have compiled a 16-4 overall record while remaining unbeaten against conference opponents at 10-0. West Florida currently leads the GSC in assists and kills, averaging 11.82 and 12.81, respectively, per set; As a team, the Argonauts are also leading the GSC in hitting percentage at .237. Last season, after a 3-0 sweep at the NCAA Division ll South Regional Tournament, the Argonauts 2022 campaign came to an end after facing the Spartans.