Spartans Look to Extend Winning Streak to Double Digits

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa volleyball team returns home for the first time in nearly three weeks to square off with Embry-Riddle tomorrow at 7 p.m.

The Match: No. 8 University of Tampa (15-1, 8-0 SSC) vs. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (11-4, 5-3 SSC)

Date/Time:  Tuesday, October 2 at 7 p.m.

Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, Fla.

Last Time Out: The Spartans defeated the Barry University Buccaneers in a five-set thriller in Miami Shores. Sophomore outside hitter Katie McKiel had a standout performance, racking up 24 kills, hitting .316 and tallying 21 digs. Melissa Elias earned UT's first triple-double of the year, finishing the match with 11 kills, 17 assists and 13 digs. Libero Nicole Dominguez logged a team-high and season-high 33 digs.

 
About the Spartans: The Spartans are riding a nine-game winning streak into the match against Embry-Riddle. The Spartans have swept in six of the nine matches. The nine-game winning streak is the longest streak since UT's 12-game winning streak in 2015. Tampa leads the Sunshine State Conference in hitting percentage (.281), assists (13.53 per set), and kills (14.37 per set). Taylor Fosler is second in the conference in hitting percentage (.390), and McKiel and Houghton are third and fifth respectively in kills per set.

About the Eagles: The Eagles are on pace to finish above .500 for the first time since 2014, and are just two wins shy of tying last season's total of 13 wins. Embry-Riddle is currently on a three-game winning streak with wins over Saint Leo, Florida Tech and Eckerd. The Eagles lead the SSC in digs (18.6 per set), and junior libero Olivia Roa sits atop the conference with 6.85 digs per set. Erika Barbour, Melanie Canfield and McKenna James have all surpassed the 100-kill mark this season (194, 160 and 137 respectively).

Series History: The Spartans lead the all-time series over the Eagles 8-0. Tampa cruised past Embry-Riddle in four sets in early September in Daytona Beach. McKiel and Houghton both finished with 17 kills, and Dominguez tallied 23 digs in the victory.

Tickets: General Admission ticket prices for all Tampa regular season athletic events are $5. Youth (ages 12 and under) are admitted free of charge. Students and faculty/staff are admitted free with a valid UT ID.

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