Tampa Volleyball Tops Lions in Sweep

TAMPA, Fla. - Remaining perfect in conference with another win, the No. 7 University of Tampa volleyball team tamed Saint Leo University in another three set sweep. The Spartans rise to 11-2 on the season with a 4-0 record in the Sunshine State Conference while the Lions fizzle to 6-6 in their 2012 campaign and a 0-4 conference mark.

Reigning SSC Player of the Year Danielle Selkridge and outside hitter Jessica Yingling each crushed 14 kills in the victory. Middle hitter Meagan Burke grounded 8 kills at a .583 clip while Selkridge swung a team leading .591 attack percentage.

The Spartans swung at a .396 clip as a team while the defense limited SLU to a .219 percentage. Libero Jen Scholz tallied 19 digs to lead UT while junior Frances Cardenas notched 10. Setter Kahley Patrick spun a double-double on the match with 39 assists and 13 digs to keep the Spartan tempo.

Tampa took the first set 25-21 as the home squad swung at an errorless .529 attack to take the premier stanza. Yingling hit 7-for-12 while Selkridge swatted five kills to pace the offense. SLU hitters Meghan Donovan and Tawni Warren contributed three kills each to round out the Lions attack.

The visitors had no answer for the dominating second set performance from Selkridge, as the senior amassed five kills in six swings. Tampa took the second set 25-15 to put the Lions in a 0-2 hole.

The decisive final set of play saw the Spartans win by a close 25-23 margin as the squad totaled 14 kills. Lions outside hitter Sami Vierk led all players in the third frame with six kills in seven chances.

The Spartans hit the road to face another SSC opponent in Lynn University Friday, Oct. 5, with game time slated for a 7 p.m. start.

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