Spartans Win Title Rematch in Front of National Audience

TAMPA, Fla. - The rematch of the 2006 NCAA II volleyball national championship match went in favor of the top-ranked University of Tampa (20-1) as the Spartans handed the University of North Alabama (16-12) a 3-0 loss. The game was featured as the CSTV NCAA II National Match of the Week and was part of a webcast through CBS/CSTV.

The Lions came roaring out of the gates, taking a 10-6 lead before the Spartans began to rally to tie the game at 19 apiece. Trailing 20-19, Tampa won the next seven points to win game one by a 30-25 mark. Alisha Green enjoyed a stellar first game, connecting on seven of eight attacks for a .875 hitting percentage in the game.

North Alabama kept the lead until midway through the second game when UT took 10 of 14 points in the middle of the game. The Lions battled back, earning a game point at 31-30 before the Spartans took four of the next five points to win 34-32.

Tampa continued its momentum into game three as it never trailed and led by as many as 10 points. UT ultimately took the final game by a score of 30-23.

Erin Clark led the Spartans with a team-high 17 kills. Tampa's leading hitter also enjoyed a .400 hitting percentage for the night. Green joined Clark in double figures with 14 kills at a .545 attack clip. Gabriela Saade set up the opportunities with a team-high 36 assists as freshman Meghan Sherman contributed seven.

Margeaux Sinibaldi inched closer to the 2,000 dig milestone as she registered 19 on the night. The Sunshine state Conference and University of Tampa all-time digs leader now needs just 17 digs to become the 22nd player in NCAA II history to record 2,000 in their career. Camila Saade also chipped in 10 digs off the bench.

Tampa's defense also accounted for five blocks, three of which were credited to Green. Katelen Dixon added a pair as Danielle MacDonald and Melissa Vanderhall each had one.

After being outhit .290 to .278 in game one, the Spartans held the Lions to just .106 and .200 in the final two games. UT enjoyed a .245 mark in game two and a .389 hitting percentage in game three.

The Spartans return to action tomorrow in the third match of the October Classic. UT will be pitted against Montevallo at 5 p.m.