#5 Spartans Sweep Prairie Stars, Vikings in First Leg of Tampa Classic

Tampa, Fla. – The No. 5 ranked University of Tampa Spartans volleyball team hosted the University of Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars and the Augustana University (S.D.) Vikings for day one of the Tampa Classic. The Spartans won each match 3-0 and 3-2, respectively.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Match One Final: #5 Tampa 3 (1; 25-15, 2; 25-20, 3; 27-25), Illinois-Springfield 0

Match Two Final: #5 Tampa 3 (2; 26-24, 3; 25-18, 5; 15-8), Augustana 2 (1; 25-19, 4; 25-20)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Fla.

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HOW IT HAPPENED, MATCH ONE:

First Set: The Spartans struck early and often, forcing a quick 3-0 lead with senior Sorrel Houghton putting away a set from senior Melissa Elias. Houghton also added two service aces. Tampa used their early momentum to race out to a 10-2 lead, ultimately being the first to 15, and finishing the first set 25-13 after a 15-3 run. Score: 1-0 Tampa

Second Set: The Spartans opened the second set with a 15-9 run. Tampa would score the next five of seven points scored by both teams for a 20-11 lead via a UIS bad set, three UIS attack errors, a service error, and a kill by Katie McKiel (from Claudia Rivera). The Prairie Stars clawed back and at one point pulled within 5 (23-18 Tampa) but ultimately fell short, 25-20. Score: 2-0 Tampa

Third Set: The third set was even throughout with each team trading points. Tampa was narrowly the first squad to 15 (15-14). Three straight points gave the Prairie Stars their second lead of the set (22-21) before the Spartans marched back to secure a 27-25 win. Final: 3-0 Tampa

HOW IT HAPPENED, MATCH TWO:

First Set: Tampa struck first by a kill from senior Sorrel Houghton who finished a set from senior Melissa Elias. The Spartans and Vikings traded points to the tune of an 8-8 score before a 7-2 Viking run left them first to 15. Both teams battled back and forth from there on, with Augustana edging the Spartans 25-19 to take the first set. Score: 1-0 Augustana

Second Set: Tampa found its footing in the opening of the second set with a quick 6-1 lead. Augustana's point came on a Tampa service error. The Spartans scored four points to open the set, including a kill from senior Katie McKiel off a set from Elias. Tampa was the first to 15 and eventually the Vikings tied things up, 20-20, with an 11-5 run that forced a Spartan timeout. The Spartans and Vikings traded points and again tied the match, 24-24, before two Viking attack errors awarded the Spartans the second set, 26-24. Score: 1-1 Tied

Third Set: Houghton once again struck first, finishing a set from senior Claudia Rivera to open the set. The Spartans and Vikings continued to play a tight match, trading points throughout, with Tampa the first to 15 by a narrow margin (15-14). The Spartans went on a 10-4 run to take set two 25-18. Score: 2-1 Tampa

Fourth Set: For the fourth set in a row the Spartans struck first, this time on a kill from freshman Kalli Cors who finished a set from Elias. The Vikings rode a 15-7 run to be the first to 15. The Vikings ultimately took the fourth set 25-20. Score: 2-2 Tied

Fifth Set: The Vikings roared out to an early 6-2 lead in the final set. The Spartans flipped the script, going on a 13-2 run to take the fifth and final set. Final: 3-2 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS, MATCH ONE:

• UT's attack was spread out, with four players logging five or more kills: Kalli Cors (9) Katie McKiel (8), Sorrel Houghton (6), and Melissa Elias (5).
• Emily Noe was the only player in the match to record double digit digs (13).
• McKiel had 8 kills on 18 attempts for a .444 hit percentage.
• Three Spartans had two service aces: Houghton, Cors, and sophomore Chelsea Simmons.

INSIDE THE STATS, MATCH TWO:

• Melissa Elias had the second triple-double of her career with 10 kills, 28 assists, and 12 digs.
• The Spartans had three players log 10 or more kills: Elias, Sorrel Houghton, and Katie McKiel.
• Freshman Emily Noe (22) joined Elias (28) as one of two players with 20 or more assists in the match.
• Four Spartans had 10 or more digs: Claudia Rivera (21), Houghton (13), Elias (12), and Noe (11).
• Elias led the Tampa attack, hitting at a .429 percentage.

UP NEXT: Tampa welcomes the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats at 3:00 PM and the Ashland University Eagles at 7:30 PM on Saturday, September 4 in day two of the Tampa Classic at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.