McKiel Dazzles in 3-1 Win over NSU
October 21, 2016

McKiel Dazzles in 3-1 Win over NSU

Freshman Katie McKiel posted a match-high 14 kills as the No. 20 UT volleyball team jetted past the Sharks on Friday night.

TAMPA, Fla. – Lead by a 14-kill tear from right side Katie McKiel, the No. 20 University of Tampa volleyball team earned a 3-1 victory over visiting Nova Southeastern University on Friday evening in the Bob Martinez Athletic Center.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 Final: No. 20 Tampa 3, Nova Southeastern 1 (20-25, 25-12, 25-16, 25-18)
Records: Tampa Spartans (14-5, 5-3 SSC), Nova Southeastern Sharks (11-9, 3-4 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

Set 1 | Nova Southeastern emerged from the first stanza with a 25-20 win over the Spartans. Middle blocker Maddie Ulik hit a near-perfect 6-for-7 for the Sharks while libero Megan Burns posted an asoutnding 10 digs. The Tampa offense was unable to match Ulik in the opening set despite three kills each from senior Allee Stelogeannis and sophomore Alexandra Misca.

Set 2 | The Spartans put together the strongest individual set offensively, hitting at a sweltering .812 attack percentage (13-0-16) to ravage the Sharks 25-12 to knot the match. Freshman McKiel hit a perfect 3-for-3 while fellow freshman Nicole Dominguez converted three kills at a .750 clip, stopping three opposing swings at the net for defense.  Misca smacked a pair of kills while adding three blocks.

Set 3 | Tampa picked up a 2-1 match lead by claiming the third set in 25-16 fashion. Freshman Taylor Fosler notched three kills and three blocks while Stelogeannis grounded four kills for a team-high.  Ulik added four kills for the Sharks but the Spartan defense stymied the remaining weapons for NSU. Libero Logan Holanchock picked up 10 digs in the third set alone to keep the Sharks' offense at bay.

Set 4 | Right side McKiel unloaded a seven-kill fourth set to end her match-long rampage against NSU. The Spartans won the match behind a 25-18 fourth frame to clinch the victory.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• The UT defense totaled 76 digs and a season-high 14 blocks, the most stops at the net since Tampa last met Nova Southeastern on Nov. 21, 2015.  The Spartans posted 16 blocks in the match, taking the contest in similar 3-1 fashion.

• With 10 kills and 18 digs, senior Stelogeannis posted her fourth consecutive double-double and the 13th of the season to lead the squad.

• Junior Kelsey Watts tied her career-high in service aces with three against NSU. The prior time was this past weekend against Christian Brothers (10/14/2016).

• Sophomore Misca posted a match-high seven blocks to set a new career-best effort in a single match. Fosler totaled six as the middle tandem performed with a solid defensive showing.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The .812 team attack percentage in the second set was the highest of any individual set this season.

• McKiel has reached double-digit kills for the 11th time in her first collegiate year.

• Sophomore Holanchock finished the match with 22 digs as the libero has posted more than 20 digs for the fourth time this season.

UP NEXT:

UT will continue its home stand with a top-25 matchup against No. 12 Palm Beach Atlantic for a Saturday matinee. Live stats and a live video webcast for the 4 p.m. contest will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com. 

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Photos Box Score

Team Stats