Spartans Advance to National Championship
TAVARES, Fla. - The University of Tampa beach volleyball team advances to the AVCA Division II Small College National Championship after defeating Palm Beach Atlantic earlier Sunday afternoon.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
v.s Palm Beach Atlantic - Tampa 3, PBA 2
Record: Tampa 20-13
Location: Hickory Point Beach || Tavares, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
Tampa headed into the semifinal matchup with Palm Beach Atlantic having won the two previous matches they played against each other earlier this season. Much like the other two matches, the Spartans would prevail with a 3-2 victory. Julia Oswald and Payton Brunick in the 1's would only allow 13 points in the first set and would go on to sweep in straight sets. In the 2's pairing, Cassidy Ehrie and Angel Williams would win a thrilling first set 29-27. Ehrie and Williams continued that momentum into the second set and would only allow 12 points. Nevaeh Wolfe and Hailey Wolfe were paired as the 3's and would drop the first set but respond with a commanding second set victory, 21-13. They would later fall in the third set. In the 4's group, Keely Hamilton and Madison Brunick would dominate the first set 21-12 and finish off the second set with a 21-18 victory. Alivia Horn and Kalli Cors would play a hard-fought match as the 5's pairing but in the end fell short, 21-18 and 21-19.
Up Next:
The Spartans will take on defending national champion, Colorado Mesa in the championship match at 2:15 p.m. on court A. Tampa is looking to collect its third national championship overall and the last time the Spartans were crowned champions was in 2021.