Tampa to Begin Season at Home in Annual Tampa Volleyball Classic

Tampa to Begin Season at Home in Annual Tampa Volleyball Classic
September 3, 2024

TAMPA, Fla. - The Spartans are set to welcome three teams to the annual Courtyard by Marriot Tampa Volleyball Classic. Tampa will open its season on Friday night when they take on Texas Woman's University.

 

No. 2 Tampa vs. Texas Woman's University

Tampa: 0-0 | Texas Woman's University 0-0

Friday, Sept. 6 - 6:00 PM EDT

Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

No. 2 Tampa vs. New Haven

Tampa: 0-0 | New Haven 0-0

Saturday, Sept. 7 - 11:00 AM EDT

Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

No. 2 Tampa vs. Hillsdale

Tampa: 0-0 | Hillsdale 0-0

Saturday, Sept. 7 - 7:30 PM EDT

Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

 

ABOUT THE SPARTANS

  • Tampa finished the 2023 season 32-2 (19-1, SSC) and reached the NCAA Semifinal match falling to West Texas A&M.
  • The Spartans won the Sunshine State Conference in 2023 and were picked to first in this year's poll.
  • Coach Catanach is set to enter his 41st season as head coach. 
  • Associate Head Coach Brian Imperiale was named the AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2023.
  • The program returns 12 players from a year ago while adding four.
  • The four newcomers include freshmen - Kayla Dondero, Laney Pedue, Connor Rahn, and Maddie Sofarelli.
  • Tampa has five seniors on its roster - Kalli Cors, Hayley Dillon, JJ Ramirez, Zoey Seput, and Jenna Vaske.
  • UT starts the season ranked as the No. 2 team in the AVCA Preseason Poll.
  • The last time the Spartans lost a season opener was back in 2007 to California Baptist.

SCOUTING REPORT TWU:

  • The Pioneers finished the 2023 season 19-9 (11-5, LSC).
  • Played in the Lone Star Conference Championship for the first time since 2019.
  • The Pioneers capped off their own 2023 season with six players named to All-Conference teams, including Cara Pool who set a program record for highest hitting percentage in a single season with .368. 
  • TWU went 6-3 on the road and 4-3 in neutral-site matchups.
  • The program was picked to finish sixth in the LSC Poll.
  • TWU hired Jessica Ranson as head volleyball coach in June.
  • The team returns 12 players from a year ago with five new additions.
  • Junior, Tori Woods led the squad in kills last season with 272, averaging 3.12 kills per set.
  • Grace Reynolds led the team in assists (575) and service aces (45).

SERIES HISTORY:

  • Tampa is 2-0 versus Texas Woman's University all-time. 
  • The first time these two squared off was in 1987.
  • The Spartans last played the Pioneers in 2021.

SCOUTING REPORT NEW HAVEN:

  • The Chargers closed out the 2023 campaign 23-10 (10-1 NE10).
  • In 2023, New Haven won the NE10 Conference Championship title.
  • New Haven was slotted second in the NE10 poll.
  • Tampa and New Haven faced off early in the season last year.
  • The Chargers return reigning NE10 Player of the Year and D2CCA East Region Player of the Year Macy Brown.

SERIES HISTORY:

  • Tampa holds a sizeable 12-2 lead in the all-time series.
  • The Spartans are 8-2 in the last 10 matches and are on an eight-match win streak versus the Chargers.
  • Tampa defeated New Haven, 3-0 in the Sandy Hoffman Memorial Tournament.
  • 1988 was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

SCOUTING REPORT HILLSDALE:

  • Coming off of their seventh straight Great Midwest Athletic Conference title.
  • The program claimed its seventh regular season championship in eight seasons. 
  • The Chargers finished the 2023 season 27-7 overall.
  • Voted first in the G-MAC North Division Preseason poll.
  • The Chargers lose three seniors, including the G-MAC Player of the Year, Alli Wiese.
  • Hillsdale is returning the teams' top three kill leaders from 2023: Marilyn Popplewell, Maizie Brown, and Emory Braswell.

SERIES HISTORY:

  • Tampa and Hillsdale will play each other for the first time this weekend.