Tampa Splits Final Day Of Premier, Finish Third
DENVER - Playing in the most prestigious tournament in the NCAA Division II, the No. 2 University of Tampa (5-2) finished third for the second straight year after splitting Saturday's double header at the Colorado Premier Volleyball Challenge. Tampa lost to No. 10 Southwest Minnesota State before bouncing back to take down No. 1 Concordia, St. Paul in five more games in the third place match. The Spartans also claimed two all-tournament spots.
The Spartans went five games in each match, dropping 3-2 to SMSU and winning by the same score against CU. Outside hitter Jessica Yingling and setter Meghan Sherman's effort on the weekend earned them a spot on the 2010 Premier All-Tournament Team. Both players earned all-tourney honors in 2009 as well.
Taking on the Golden Bears for the second time in a week, Tampa came out flat and trailed 12-5 early. UT regrouped and was able to bring the game to within two, but faltered down the stretch losing 25-18.
The second set was hard-fought game that featured 13 ties and seven lead changes. With the score knotted at 18, Yingling picked up a service ace that sparked a 7-4 run to give the Spartans the game.
UT couldn't overcome an early five-point deficit in the third and lost 25-20 to give CU a 2-1 lead in the match. Tampa returned the favor in the fourth set by the same score to force a fifth game, where the Spartans raced to a 10-3 lead.
The Golden Bears would not go quietly though, cutting the lead to just three at 10-7. UT then went on a 5-1 run, aided by three blocks from Danielle Selkridge, to claim the match and its second straight third place finish in the Premier.
Selkridge was instrumental for Tampa throughout the match, tallying a career-high nine blocks including three solos. Her 14 kills were one off tying her career high as she hit at a .440 pace.
Melissa Vanderhall regained her All-American form, slamming home 18 kills and helping out on four blocks. Sherman also lived up to her billing, dishing out 50 assists for the second time this year, and scooped up 11 balls to complete her double-double.
Julie Howlett totaled 17 digs and Jessica Yingling followed with 15.
The Spartans drew a tough opponent in the first match of the day, taking on a then undefeated Southwest Minnesota State team that entered the tournament at No. 10. The upset-minded Mustangs proved difficult for Tampa, taking the first two sets 25-21 and 27-25.
UT battled back to take the next two by scores of 25-18 and 25-20 to force a decisive fifth set. SMSU came out strong in final game and cruised to a 15-9 triumph to take the match.
Tampa's offense struggled mightily against the Mustangs, hitting at just a .182 clip. It was the first time since Nov. 21, 2008 (a 3-0 loss against West Florida) that the Spartans hit under .200. Yingling turned in a team-high 13 kills and Sam Macks added 10 on 18 swings. Kaleigh Cunningham and Selkridge each finished with nine.
While the Spartans usually rely on their offense for wins, it was the defense that kept the team in the match with 79 scoops and 16 blocks. Tampa blocked eight balls in the third set alone that helped turn the momentum in its favor. Macks had her hand in seven stops at the net, while Vanderhall contributed with five more.
Five Spartans registered double-figure digs as Howlett led the way with 19. Sherman scooped up 16 balls while Vanderhall and Yingling had 11. Cunningham notched 10 digs and solo block. UT held the Mustangs to just a .174 attack percentage, their second lowest rate of the season.
Sherman handed out 45 assists which notched her second double-double on the day and third of the season. Yingling registered her first such game of 2010 and Cunningham finished one kill away from matching that feat.
The Mustangs would go on to finish second in the tournament, falling to No. 19 Wayne State (Neb.) in the final.
The Spartans travel to St. Petersburg on Tuesday to open Sunshine State Conference play at Eckerd. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. and UT will provide live stats through tampaspartans.com. Fans can also follow UT sports on twitter.com/utspartans.