Spartans Bounce Back with Win Over Lions

SAINT LEO, Fla. - Rebounding from suffering their first loss of the season, the No. 1 University of Tampa volleyball team defeated Saint Leo University 3-1 Saturday.

The win puts the Spartans back on track with a 25-1 season mark and 12-1 in Sunshine State Conference play while the Lions drop to 12-12 with a 4-6 tally in the SSC.

Outside hitters Eva Dupay, Jessica Yingling and middle hitter Danielle Selkridge led the Spartan charge, totaling 28 kills. Selkridge posted five blocks at the net while Dupay amassed four.

Camille Hanks and Meagan Burke walled three Lion attacks apiece as the squad notched 13 total on the match. Four Spartans recorded double digit digs as libero Julie Howlett and Yingling led with 13. Setter Kahley Patrick produced a double-double with 33 assists and 12 digs.

Lions middle Danielle Bletso led her team with 13 kills while defensive tandem Corey Ryan and Lauren Campbell combined for 28 digs.

Senior Dupay led the Spartan squad to a set one victory with four each of kills and digs. The Fort Myers native also contributed a block and a service ace to lead UT to a 25-17 win. Selkridge swung 3-for-3 while setter Patrick assisted 11 swings and led all Spartans with six digs on the frame. Both players also had a block along with Hanks walling out two Lion swings.

A trio of Spartans collected three kills as Dupay, Reschke and Selkridge led the attack. Selkridge stopped three Lion attacks while Dupay blocked two and repeated with another four digs. Spartan's senior libero Howlett notched five digs and Patrick placed another 11 assists.

The Lions took the third set 25-14 as Tawni Warren and Meghan Donovan paced the SLU attack with four kills apiece.

The fourth frame saw nine tied scores and three lead changes as the back-and-forth set resulted in a Spartan victory. The Tampa squad was led by Yingling as the sophomore posted four kills and five digs on the final stanza.

Tampa returns home to face North Alabama in a Thursday night matchup, slated for a 7 p.m. start. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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