Tampa Claims Third Straight Conference Title
SAINT LEO, Fla. - The top-ranked University of Tampa (26-2, 13-1 SSC) volleyball team captured their third straight and 17th overall Sunshine State Conference championship with a 3-1 victory over Saint Leo University (24-10, 6-7 SSC). The Spartans have now won 11 of the past 12 SSC titles, with the exception being a second place finish in 2004.
UT enjoyed a fast start as it won game one by a score of 30-14. The Spartans went on a 7-2 run to begin the match and used a .481 hitting percentage to close out the initial game. On the game, the Lions were held to just a .107 clip.
The Lions rebounded in the second game as they held the lead for the majority of the game until Tampa went on a 7-2 run to take a 26-25 lead, its first since leading 1-0. At 28-28, the Spartans then won the next two points to claim the 30-28 victory.
The outcome was reversed in game three as the Lions turned an 18-15 deficit into a 25-22 lead after going on a 10-4 run. Saint Leo held on to register a 30-28 victory in the game. In the game, SLU held the Spartans to a match low .157 attack percentage.
Game four witnessed a rejuvenation of the Spartans as UT quickly got out to a 14-5 lead. The advantage was then stretched to 11 as Tampa took a commanding 17-6 lead. The lead was as many as 19 points for the Spartans, who had no trouble finishing out the Lions with a 30-11 game four win.
Tampa was led by Erin Clark, who registered a team-high 20 kills to go with a .545 attack percentage. Katelen Dixon contributed 15 kills as Alisha Green added 14 and Danielle MacDonald had 10. Gabriela Saade accounted for a team high 58 assists.
Margeaux Sinibaldi registered her fourth consecutive 20-plus dig performance and second in as many days with a team-high 21 while Dixon had 16 to claim a double-double. Green led the Spartans with two blocks.
The Spartans now head to Miami Shores for a meeting with Barry on Friday at 7 p.m. UT then concludes the regular season on Saturday at Lynn in a 4 p.m., meeting with the Fighting Knights.