Tampa Falls to No. 5 in Latest Poll
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The former top ranked University of Tampa volleyball team drops to the No. 5 spot in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division II poll. The drop marks the lowest ranking the team has placed this season, starting their 2011 campaign in the fourth spot.
The 25-1 Spartans are coming off a 2-1 week, experiencing their first loss of the season to the now No. 22 ranked Eckerd College. The Tritons spoiled the Spartans run at history as the team fell short of tying the program's best start by one game. The five set heartbreaker was the first loss to the Saint Petersburg team since they began Sunshine State Conference play.
Head coach Chris Catanach's team bested their other SSC matchups in four sets, defeating Florida Southern College Tuesday night and Saint Leo University Saturday, bouncing back from their Friday night loss.
Former No. 2 University of Minnesota Duluth claimed the top spot, remaining perfect with a 25-0 record while Cal State- San Bernardino stepped into second in the poll. Washburn and Concordia St. Paul round out the top five.
Tampa will take on three South Region opponents in North Alabama, Florida Tech and Nova Southeastern. The top ranked South Region squad will meet UNA in a Thursday night matchup. The Spartans will play host to all three matches as they look to play SSC foes NSU and FIT in Friday and Saturday respectively.
The ranking marks the 213th straight week the Tampa team has been recognized, the longest active streak second only to No. 8 Central Missouri. The No. 5 spot also keeps the Spartans in the top five for 24 consecutive weeks.