Spartans Open Tournament Play in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. – Spartans kick off home tournament against two top-ranked teams.

Final Scores:

Tampa 1, No. 6 GCU 4

Tampa 0, No. 15 Stetson 5

Record: Tampa 1-5

Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center || Jacksonville, Fla.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

v.s. No. 6 GCU: Kicking off the tournament for the host Spartans were the 4s and 5s pairings. Despite dropping the first set in the 5s, Kalli Cors and Alivia Horn responded in the second and forced the match to a deciding third. Tampa came flying out of the gates in the third set and gained an 8-1 advantage. GCU fought hard to try and pull out a miracle but came up short. (1-0 Tampa) Meanwhile, Keely Hamilton and Madison Brunick shared a similar storyline in the 4s. After looking sluggish in the first set the pair responded well in the second, taking the last six points and holding GCU to only 13. However, GCU were able to tip the scales their way in the third. (1-1 Tie) Following the 4s and 5s, the 1s, 2s, and 3s kicked off. The Spartans regular number one pairing of Julia Oswald and Angel Williams battled hard in two tough sets but would fall in each. (2-1 GCU) Making their first collegiate appearance together were twins Hailey Wolfe and Nevaeh Wolfe in the 2s. The two freshmen showed they could hang with some of the top teams in the country, keeping of both the first two sets competitive, but their inexperience also showed and GCU took the 2s. (3-1 GCU) In the 3s were new partners Payton Brunick and Cassidy Ehrie. Following in the footsteps of the 4s and 5s, Tampa dropped the first set but came out in sync in the second set and forced a third. But, similar to the 4s, the 3s were outbattled by GCU in the third. (4-1 GCU)

v.s. No. 15 Stetson: Tampa took on No. 15 Stetson in the afternoon matchup, the only change to the Spartan lineup came as a position swap in which the 2s and 3s switched courts. Tampa's 5s lost the first set in a similar manner to the first duel, but this time were unable to respond in the second and the Hatters claimed the 5s. (1-0 Stetson) In somewhat of a reversal from their match against GCU, the 4s came out playing very clean volleyball and claimed the first set. The Spartans took an early and convincing lead in the second, but Stetson battled all the way back to force a third set in which they edged out the Spartans. (2-0 Stetson) The 1s and 2s for Stetson came out heavy hitting and never looked back, taking both matchups in straight sets. (4-0 Stetson) The 3s however, now occupied by the Wolfe twins, was a different story. Following along with the theme of the day, the twins dropped the first set but responded well in the second to force a third. But, Tampa's 5s remained the only Spartans pairing to take a match as they Hatters took the final match of the day. 

UP NEXT: The Spartans return to action this Sunday, squaring off against TCU, FGCU, and FSU.