Spartans Kick Off 2017 Season at Bob Martinez Athletics Center
Tampa Volleyball opens the 2017 season in a home tournament.
TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 17 University of Tampa volleyball team will open its 2017 season at home, participating in the Terrace Hotel Classic at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center beginning Friday.
The Spartans start the classic facing the University of New Haven at 2:45 p.m., followed by an evening match against Central Washington University at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, UT will start the day playing Pace University at 10:45 a.m., and then will take the court again at 7:00 p.m., to take on the reigning national champions, the Golden Bears of Concordia – St. Paul.
UT concluded last season with a 23-9 overall record. The program participated in its 21st consecutive NCAA tournament last year, falling in three sets in the South Region Semifinal. Head coach Chris Catanach will begin his 34th season at the helm of the UT volleyball team, sitting 1,022-182 over the course of his storied career.
Returning for the Spartans this year is 2016 All-SSC Honorable Mention Gen Beaumier. The right-side hitter totaled the 2016 season with 208 kills at a respectable .256 attack percentage, adding 122 digs, 106 assists, 42 blocks, and 29 service aces as one of the most versatile student-athletes in the league.
Also, returning for the Spartans are 2016 All-SSC Newcomers, Taylor Fosler and Katie McKiel. Fosler, the middle hitter out of Ocala, Florida, finished her freshman campaign totaling 159 kills at a .297 hitting percentage, with 21 digs, and 85 total blocks. McKiel, the Colorado Springs native, ended her college debut playing outside for Tampa with a total of 272 kills at a .220 attacking percentage, 86 digs, and 35 blocks.
Additionally, the Spartans bring in four freshmen that expect to make an impact on the team's success.
UT will start the 2017 season with a match up against the Chargers of the University of New Haven at 2:45 p.m. New Haven concluded their 2016 season with an overall record of 20-9, 11-3 in the Northeast 10 Conference (NE10). The Chargers look to have a strong season returning two of their three leading point scorers, Kristine Rios and Caroline Martins. UT will take on New Haven for the eleventh time in program history, with a winning record of 8-2.
At 7:00 p.m. the Spartans will face off against Central Washington University. The Wildcats finished their 2016 season 17-12 overall, 13-7 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). They come with returning offensive weapon Shelby Mauritson. Mauritson was second on the team in kills last season averaging 2.92 kills per set.
On Saturday, also from the NE10 Conference, the Spartans will face Pace University at 10:30 a.m. Pace went 23-9 last season, 8-6 in conference competition. Standout returners for the Setters include junior outside hitter Claudia Fontanet, and junior middle blocker Kathleen Benson. Both attackers started every match for the squad in the 2016 season and shared 709 kills between the two of them.
Closing out the Terrace Hotel Classic, the Spartans will compete against the top-ranked defending national champion, the Concordia Golden Bears at 7:00 p.m. The Golden Bears lost six key contributors, including five former All-Americans. Having graduated the majority of their starting lineup, the Golden Bear's look to rebuild in their returners and freshmen. The most experienced spot in the Golden Bear's returning lineup is the middle blocker position. They have a pair of middles that both started at least 17 matches last season, senior Shelby Seurer and sophomore Sara Macek.
Live stats as well as a live video webcast for all matches will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.
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