Yingling Reaches 1,000 Kills as Tampa Defeats Barry
MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - The No. 7 University of Tampa volleyball team defeated Barry University in its final regular season matchup, capping a perfect season for the Spartans in conference play. The three set victory also featured another impressive milestone as senior Jessica Yingling recorded her 1,000th career kill.
Yingling becomes the 17th player in program history to reach the 1,000 kill mark. The captain finished with eight kills on the day.
The victory concludes Tampa's regular season with a 27-3 overall record. The Spartans finish a perfect 16-0 in SSC play, securing two wins over each conference challenger throughout the year. The Buccaneers of Barry University finish their 2012 regular season campaign at 17-13, 9-7 SSC.
Leaders for the Spartans today were Danielle Selkridge and Holly Reschke, who connected for ten kills apiece. Libero Frances Cardenas paced the UT defense with 17 of the Spartans total 38 digs.
The Spartans came out swinging and began the opening set on a 6-0 run. Selkridge, fresh off her fourth Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week honors, swung a perfect five for five. Meagan Burke matched the flawless attack percentage with three kills of her own. Setter Kahley Patrick had 10 assists, holding her average steady at 42nd in the nation in assists per set, as Tampa took the opening stanza 25-10.
The second frame saw some outstanding defense displayed by Tampa. The Spartans limited the Buccaneers to just four kills and a -.148 attack percentage. UT also recorded six total team blocks, with Yingling, Selkridge and Burke all contributing a block solo. Selkridge led the Spartan offense again with three kills as Tampa took the set 25-10.
Tampa continued its solid play into the third stanza and secured the victory 25-19. The Spartan ensemble of Reschke, Yingling and Selkridge distributed the 17 total Spartan kills. Cardenas finished off her superb afternoon by adding six digs.
The Spartans will have almost a full two weeks off before returning for the NCAA South Regional Tournament. Regional's will begin on November 28th and will run through December 1st. Live stats, as well as live video, will be made available throughout the Regional tournament through www.tampaspartans.tv.
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