Fighting Knights Upset Top-Ranked Tampa, 3-2

BOCA RATON, Fla. - After forcing a decisive fifth set, the No. 1 University of Tampa volleyball team was upset by Lynn University, snapping its consecutive Sunshine State Conference win streak with 59 victories. Tampa fell 3-2 by set scores of 26-28, 20-25, 25-19, 25-20 and 8-15 in the de Hoernle Center, Saturday evening.

The Spartans dip to 17-4, 7-1 in SSC matchups while the Fighting Knights improve to 12-8, 3-6 in conference play. The victory marks the first time in program history that Lynn defeated the Tampa volleyball team, as UT owned a 37-0 record prior to the Saturday upset.

Tampa out-hit Lynn despite the tough loss, swinging at a .304 attack percentage as a team compared to the .201 effort of the Fighting Knights. The difference maker proved to be the strong serve of Lynn, as the team produced an astounding 19 aces in the five-set thriller.

Senior Marissa Lisenbee led all athletes on offense, terminating 20 kills at a .385 clip while Jessica Wagner posted 13 at a .524 clip. Outside hitter Berkley Whaley grounded 16 kills, as the Spartans were unable to come away with the win.

UT's defense totaled 10 blocks to keep the Lynn offense at bay, but it was the swift serve of the Fighting Knights that dealt Tampa its fourth loss of the season and its first conference loss since Oct. 2011.

UT will host Saint Leo University on Tuesday, Oct. 27 for its annual Dig Pink event, scheduled for a 7 p.m. start time. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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