UTampa Returns to bay area for 4 Sunshine State Conference matches.

UTampa Returns to bay area for 4 Sunshine State Conference matches.
November 4, 2024

Tampa, Fla. - With sweeping victories over Palm Beach Atlantic and Rollins, and a five-set comeback win over Embry-Riddle last week, UTampa has now won four in a row. Looking ahead to this week, the Spartans have one more road game, at Eckerd, before returning home for four straight. 

 

No. 9  Tampa vs. Eckerd

Tampa: 16-2 | Eckerd: 11-7

Monday, Nov. 4 - 8:00 PM EDT

St. Pete Catholic High School | St. Petersburg, Fla.

 

No. 9 Tampa vs. Saint Leo

Tampa: 16-2 | Saint Leo 5-14

Wednesday, Nov. 6 - 7:00 PM EDT

Friday, Nov. 8 - 7:00 PM EDT

Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, Fla.

 

No. 9 Tampa vs. No. 17 Lynn

Tampa: 16-2 | Lynn: 20-2

Friday, Nov. 8 - 7:00 PM EDT

Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, Fla.

 

No. 9 Tampa vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

Tampa: 16-2 | Palm Beach Atlantic: 6-17

Saturday, Nov. 9 - 4:00 PM EDT

Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, Fla.

 

 

 ABOUT THE SPARTANS:

  • The Spartans are averaging 13.09 assists and 14.20 kills per set, which both lead the conference.
  • UTampa tallied 66 kills over Embry-Riddle, tying their season-high as a team and the 5th most in an SSC game.
  • Zoey Seput recorded another 50 assist game en route to 116 total last week. 
  • Rachel Gregg has reclaimed her spot atop the conference with a .421 hitting percentage. 
  • The Spartans extended their winning streak to 4 games after last week's games.
  • Only allowing 73 on the season thus far, the Spartans have given up the fewest aces in the conference.
  • UTampa has a combined record of 247-13 against this week's opponents.

SCOUTING REPORT ECKERD:

  • With an in-conference record of 4-6, Eckerd ranks at no. 8 in the SSC.
  • The Tritons rank in the bottom 5 across the SSC in points, hitting percentage, kills, and assists.
  • With a total of 50 aces, Kinga Michalska is averaging 0.77 a set which leads the conference.
  • Michalska (2.88) and Stella Antypa (2.76) are both in the top 15 of kills per set in the conference.
  • Recording 7 aces against Saint Leo last week, Michalska now has the most in a 3-set SSC match this season.

SERIES HISTORY:

  • The Spartans are 100-3 when facing the Tritons
  • Tampa has won 9 of the 10 games against Eckerd.

SCOUTING REPORT SAINT LEO:

  • Saint Leo has dropped 3 games in a row and 10 of their last 11.
  • The Lions' offense is averaging the fewest aces, kills, assists, and hitting percentage.
  • Oliwia Durka (2.75) and Paula Perez Rosales (2.47) are leading Saint Leo in kills per set.
  • Saint Leo's defense is allowing the second most kills per set (12.00) and the highest hitting percentage (.201) in the conference.
  • The Lions only have 1 conference victory out of 11 matches.

SERIES HISTORY:

  • UTampa captured the first matchup of 2024 vs St. Leo.
  • The record between Tampa and Saint Leo is 96-6, in favor of Tampa.
  • The Lions have dropped 10 straight against the Spartans.

SCOUTING REPORT LYNN:

  • Lynn has only dropped 2 of their 12 SSC matches this year.
  • Leading the entire conference, setter Hope Passerello is averaging 10.99 assists per set.
  • The Fighting Knights rank 2nd in the conference in assists, kills, hitting percentage, and digs.
  • Averaging 4.08 a set, Isabella Gentile is leading the SSC in digs.
  • Lynn's defense allows the second-fewest kills, assists, digs, and aces and the second-lowest hitting percentage across the conference.
  • After the Preseason Poll ranked Lynn at no. 25, the Knights have fought their way to no. 17 in the country.

SERIES HISTORY:

  • UTampa is 51-4 all-time when facing Lynn.
  • The Spartans' last loss to the Fighting Knights came exactly 5 five years ago (11/8/2019).

SCOUTING REPORT PALM BEACH ATLANTIC:

  • Currently on a 13-game losing streak, the Sailfish are yet to capture a victory against a conference opponent.
  • Averaging 2.49 a set, PBA is ranked third in the conference in blocks.
  • The Palm Beach defense is allowing the most assists (11.31), kills (12.21), and second-highest opponent-hitting percentage (.197) in the SSC.
  • Harper Strokes, a junior middle hitter, is averaging the second most blocks in the conference with 1.30 per set.
  • Palm Beach was swept by Tampa already this season, on October 28.

SERIES HISTORY:

  • The Spartans have won 12 straight over the Sailfish
  • UTampa's record against Palm Beach is 22-5.
  • PBA's last victory came back in 2018.