#6 Tampa Battles Back To Drop Barry

TAMPA, Fla.- The University of Tampa volleyball team battled back from a 0-2 deficit to beat Barry 3-2. The Spartans improve to 12-1 overall and 3-1 in the Sunshine State Conference while Barry drops to 4-4 and 1-3.

Barry opened the match strong capitalizing on UT's errors and took the first two sets 25-20 and 25-19. The Spartans responded in the third set by hitting .417 and using a 9-0 run at one point to win the set 25-9.

Set four saw the Spartans hit .423 and register three blocks as UT won 25-16 to even up the game at two sets apiece. The final set began as a back and forth battle until the Spartans pulled away with a 6-0 run and eventually won 15-8.

The Spartan offense was evenly spread out as only senior Annalea Warren recorded double figures in kills with 10. Sophomores Sam Macks and Kaleigh Cunningham registered nine kills each while Danielle MacDonald and Melissa Vanderhall had eight apiece.

Tampa's defense turned in 11 blocks led by Macks who had two solo blocks and four block assists. Eileen Bien-Aime, Vanderhall, and Cunningham each turned in solo blocks as well. Senior Camila Saade led the team in digs with 10, while Gabriela Saade had eight along with 29 assists.

UT recorded 52 kills overall and hit .271, while Barry hit just .059 and registering 44 kills. Barry did edge Tampa in digs 48-47.

Tampa is back in action Thursday on the road versus Rollins at 7 p.m. UT will offer Live Stats through www.tampaspartans.com. Fans may also sign up for eScores to receive free text message alerts on UT Athletics.