Spartans Split Final Day of Courtyard by Marriott Classic

TAMPA, Fla. – Concluding the Courtyard by Marriott Volleyball Classic, the No. 7 University of Tampa volleyball team split the final day of action on Saturday in the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.

The Spartans defeated the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown 3-1 before falling to the University of Minnesota-Manakato in similar 3-1 fashion.  UT ended the weekend tournament with an even 2-2 overall record.

Senior Allee Stelogeannis finished the day with 39 kills and 25 digs to lead the Spartans both offensively and defensively.  The outside hitter posted a double-double in the day's first contest, totaling 19 kills at a .311 clip while adding 18 digs. Fellow outside hitter Katie McKiel notched 25 kills between the two matches to finish her first weekend of collegiate play.

Tampa took its first game against the Mountain Cats of UPJ by set scores of 17-25, 25-19, 25-23 and 25-15.  Outside hitting tandem Stelogeannis and McKiel grounded 19 and 11 kills, respectively while freshman Nicole Dominquez hit a blistering 9-for-14.  The outside hitter scorched the opposition with a .571 attack percentage while adding 12 digs to narrowly miss a double-double effort. 

Junior Jen Aprile tuned the Tampa offense with 40 assists, adding four kills at an .800 attack percentage.  Defensively, freshman Taylor Fosler led at the net, picking up six blocks while fellow middle blocker Alexandra Misca chipped in four.

The Mavericks of Minnesota State-Mankato dealt the Spartans their second loss in as many days.  UT fell by set scores of 17-25, 25-21, 20-25, 18-25.

Senior Stelogeannis once again led the team in kills, terminating 20 while adding seven digs.  Freshman McKiel swatted 15 kills while sophomore Misca hit at a .583 attack percentage with an 8-for-12 outing, committing single attack error.  Libero Logan Holanchock led the squad in the back row, picking up 14 digs.

MSUM was led by a three-pronged attack, as outside hitters Sydney Powell and Sydney Geisness posted 29 combined kills from the outside pin in tandem with an 11-kill effort from middle hitter and tournament most outstanding player Krista Hassing.

Stelogeannis earned All-Tournament Team honors for her solid weekend for the Spartans.  Across the four games, the Ocala, Fla. native blasted 73 kills at a .270 attack percentage, averaging 4.56 per set.  Defensively, the outside hitter notched 57 digs and four blocks.

Courtyard by Marriott Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team

Tampa will continue its season on the road, as the team travels to Indianapolis to meet the University of Indianapolis for a 8:30 a.m. contest at the Ruth Lilly Center.  Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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