Tampa Blocks 2nd Upset Attempt at Eckerd

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - After a rocky first set, the No. 3 University of Tampa volleyball team defeated Eckerd College 3-1 Saturday to remain perfect in Sunshine State Conference play.

With the victory, the Spartans improve to 12-1 with a 4-0 record in SSC matchups while the host Tritons dip to 8-5 with a 2-3 mark in conference.

The UT defense lead the match as the squad totaled 15 team blocks, led by middle blockers Meagan Burke and Jessica Wagner. Sophomore Wagner blocked seven while Burke stopped six.

The offense was paced by outside hitters Holly Reschke and Berkley Whaley, as the one-two punch posted double-doubles in the four-set win. The duo grounded 12 kills each as Whaley tallied 15 digs to Reschke's 13. Junior Kahley Patrick provided the tempo with 35 assists to manage the Spartan's hitting corps.

Tampa dropped the first set of play 25-17. Tritons Grace Jones led the floor with four kills. Wagner and Whaley picked up two blocks each.

UT rebounded in the second set, ultimately taking the stanza 25-20. Reschke grounded five kills while Whaley picked up three and a pair of service aces.

Outside hitting tandem Whaley and Reschke built the Spartan momentum in their third set win. The duo tallied four kills each while junior Burke blocked four attacks in the 25-18 triumph.

The Spartans won a decisive fourth set by a 25-14 final score. UT's Wagner led the stanza with a 4-for-8 performance to round out the match.

Tampa returns home Saturday Oct. 11th to face Lynn University in a 7 p.m. match. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be made available through www.tampaspartans.tv.

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