Volleyball Solves Embry-Riddle in Four Sets

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 19 University of Tampa volleyball team stormed its way to a 3-1 victory over the visiting Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Friday at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.  Senior Allee Stelogeannis dazzled, hitting a whopping .526 from the outside pin to set a new career-high with 22 kills.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 3, Embry-Riddle 1 (25-22, 25-9, 21-25, 25-17)
Records: Tampa Spartans (7-3), Embry-Riddle Eagles (6-4)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

Set 1 | Tampa's defense was the deciding factor in the opening stanza as libero Logan Holanchock picked up 10 digs.  The Spartans totaled 22 digs as a team in the first set alone. Outside hitter Stelogeannis led the attack with a 4-for-5 showing in the first stanza.

Set 2 | The Spartans began the second frame with a 13-3 run as the offense was running on all cylinders. Tampa finished the set hitting .333 as a team (15-4-33) with another 23 digs to continue its dual threat. Senior Stelogeannis blasted a 5-kill barrage at an even .500 attack percentage to lead UT to a 25-9 win in the second set.

Set 3 | Embry-Riddle took the third set by a 25-21 score.  The Eagles hit at a .361 clip led by a 5-for-14 showing from Paola Virella.  Stelogeannis continues to lead the offensive efforts with an errorless six kills in 11 swings (.545 attack percentage). Sophomores Gen Beaumier and Alexandra Misca each hit 3-for-4 in the third stanza.

Set 4 | Stelogeannis put away a set-high seven kills at a torrid .500 clip to stifle the Eagles 25-17 in the final set.  Setter Sammy Mueller dished 17 assists while striking a pair of kills. The freshman led the set for Tampa with five digs.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Senior Stelogeannis added her fifth double-double effort of the season, finishing the match with 22 kills and 17 digs.

• The UT freshman totaled 27 kills with outside hitters Katie McKiel and Nicole Dominguez leading the underclassmen with 10 and eight kills, respectively.

• Setter Mueller notched a career-high 37 assists while posting her second consecutive double-double by adding 10 digs.

• Libero Holanchock led all Spartans with 25 digs to hold the defensive tempo for UT, tying her season-high effort in one less set.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Spartans began the opening set with 22 digs, nearly seven digs higher than their average of 15.38 digs per set entering the contest.

• UT has yet to post a loss to Embry-Riddle, extending its win-streak to seven matches (7-0 all-time)

• Embry-Riddle is a provisional member of the Sunshine State Conference, gaining full membership for the 2018 season.

• Middle blocker Misca leads the SSC in attack percentage with a season clip of .374. Stelogeannis ranks second in kills per set, averaging 4.74 across 38 sets played.

• Ranked No. 19 in the nation, Tampa has now appeared in the AVCA top-25 for 273 straight weeks, marking the nation's second-longest active streak behind only Central Missouri. 

UP NEXT:

The Spartans will continue its home series hosting Rollins College for a Saturday, Sept. 24 match slated for a 4 p.m. start time. Live stats and a live video webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.

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