#9 Spartans Capture Thrilling Five Set Match Against Eckerd

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – The No. 9 ranked University of Tampa Spartans volleyball team earned its fifth victory in a row after a thrilling five set match against the Eckerd College Tritons. The Spartans won, 3-2, after losing the first two sets of the match.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: #9 Tampa 3 (3: 31-29, 4: 25-20, 5: 15-3) Eckerd 2 (1: 25-22, 2: 25-12)

Records: #9 Tampa 6-1 (1-0 SSC), Eckerd 7-2 (0-1 SSC)

Location: McArthur Center || St. Petersburg, Fla.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

First Set: The Spartans opened the first set with a 3-1 lead in the early going with kills from Sorrel Houghton and Taylor Fosler (both from Melissa Elias). The Tritons answered, going on 9-2 run for a 9-5 set lead. Tampa battled, pulling within two, 14-12, but Eckerd was ultimately the first to 15. The Spartans went on a 5-0 run to take their second lead of the set, 21-19, with kills from Elias (from Emily Noe), and Houghton (from JJ Ramirez and Noe). The Tritons ended the set on a 6-1 run for the win. Score: 1-0 Eckerd

Second Set: The Tritons stole momentum early, at one point going up 16-9, and never looked back. They won the set 25-12. | Score: 2-0 Eckerd

Third Set: The Spartans and Tritons traded points through the early portion of the set to the tune of an 8-8 score. A 9-2 run gave Tampa the momentum it needed to turn things around. Katie McKiel had three kills during UT's run (two from Elias and one from Claudia Rivera). Kalli Cors added two kills as well, both from Elias. The Spartans added five more points and went up 22-17 in the set, but the Tritons stormed back to tie things up 23-23. The Spartans won their first set of the match, 31-29, in thrilling fashion. | Score: 2-1 Eckerd

Fourth Set: The Fourth set was another close one, with the Spartans taking the set 25-20. The Spartans opened the set on a 12-5 run and were the first to 15 (15-8). Sarah Luoma's kill gave UT their 15th point (from Noe). Three consecutive UT points tied the match up: a kill by Mackenzie Dufresne (from Noe) and two Eckerd attack errors. | Score: 2-2 Tied

Fifth Set: The Spartans momentum catapulted in the fifth and final set as the Tritons managed just three points in the closing frame. Tampa won 15-3. Final: 3-2 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Melissa Elias posted her third triple-double of the season and fifth of her career with 11 kills, 27 assists, and 10 digs.
• Katie McKiel paced the Spartans with 18 kills, most on the squad.
• Emily Noe had 25 assists, a season and career-high.
• Claudia Rivera's 29 digs are her second highest total this season. She had 30 against Northwest Missouri State on Sept. 4.
• Four Spartans enjoyed double-digit digs: Rivera (29), Sarah Luoma (17), Noe (16), and Elias (10).

UP NEXT: The Spartans hit the road for conference play against the Saint Leo Lions on Saturday at 4:00 PM.