Catanach Earns 1000th Career Win to Open the 2016 Season

TAMPA, Fla. – Joining the ranks of NCAA volleyball greatness, the University of Tampa volleyball head coach Chris Catanach earned his 1,000^th career win to open the 2016 season on Friday at the Bob Martinez Athletic Center.

The Spartans concluded the day even with a 1-1 overall record to begin their campaign, taking a 3-0 sweep over Franklin Pierce University before falling 3-2 to Henderson State University in the nightcap match.

Coach Catanach becomes just the third Division II coach to reach his millennial win and he is only the second coach in the division to accomplish the feat with one program.  Catanach joins Central Missouri great Peggy Martin and current Rockhurst skipper Tracy Rietzke as the lone Division II head volleyball coaches to reach 1000 wins.  Among all of the NCAA divisions, Catanach is the eighth to reach the milestone, joining volleyball greats such as Larry Bock (Juniata/Navy), Russ Rose (Penn State), David Shoji (Hawaii) and Andy Banachowski (UCLA).

All-Time Wins Leaders (Division II)               Record
1. Peggy Martin (Central Missouri/Spring Hill)*           1,255-331
2. Tracy Rietzke (Kan. Wesleyan/Rockhurst)*             1,151-254
3. Chris Catanach (Tampa)*         1,000-174

*denotes an active head coach 

Tampa took a 3-0 sweep over the Ravens of FPU in the first contest of the day as senior Allee Stelogeannis led the charge behind an 11-kill effort.  The outside hitter turned her first double-double of the day by adding 11 digs in the three-set win, chipping in a trio of aces in her rounded performance.

Freshman Katie McKiel dazzled in her collegiate debut, sporting an errorless 9-for-17 onslaught at a scorching .529 attack percentage. Sophomore Gen Beaumier spun her own double-double effort, terminating 11 kills while adding 17 assists, seven digs and four service aces.

Libero Logan Holanchock paced the back row with 10 digs, serving up a trio of aces and picking up four assists.  The defense held the Ravens to 11 kills across three sets while the team hit a meager -.013 attack percentage combined.

The second match of the day ended in five-set fashion, as the Reddies of Henderson State stunned UT 3-2 to end the first day of competition at the Courtyard by Marriott Volleyball Classic.  Stelogeannis posted a career-high 23 kills in the marathon effort, adding 21 digs for her second double-double of the day.  Middle blockers Taylor Fosler and Alexandra Misca held the offensive tempo with nine and eight kills, respectively, as the duo hit at a combined .394 clip. 

Holanchock notched 25 digs to lead Tampa defensively, holding Henderson State to a .171 attack percentage.

The Reddies used libero Sydney Skelton as a catalyst for the match, as the junior totaled 31 digs to stymie the Spartan hitters.  Offensively, the opposing team was led by Courtney Bolf and Sharon Tukuaoga as the two combined for 29 kills.

The Spartans out-hit the Reddies .227 to .171 but HSU muscled out the win in a decisive fifth stanza.

UT returns to action Saturday as they conclude the Courtyard by Marriott Volleyball Classic with another twinbill slate.  The first contest is set for a 2:30 p.m. start against the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown before meeting the University of Minnesota-Mankato for a 7:00 p.m. showdown.  Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com.

Fans may follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/tampaspartans), Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans) , Vimeo (www.vimeo.com/tampaspartans), YouTube (www.youtube.com/utathletics) and Instagram (tampaspartans). 

UT also offers free messaging service for text and/or email, which sends alerts and press releases for Spartan teams. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com. A free app is also available for free download through Apple and Google Play stores. Please search for Tampa Spartans Front Row.