Tampa Continues Dominant Conference Play with a Win Over Palm Beach Atlantic

TAMPA, Fla. – The ninth ranked University of Tampa volleyball team continues its success with a win over Palm Beach Atlantic University.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:  

Final Score: No. 9 Tampa Spartans 3 (1: 25-19, 2: 27-25, 3: 24-26 4: 25-13 ), Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish 1

Records: No. 9 Tampa (24-2, 15-1 SSC), Palm Beach Atlantic (14-13, 7-9 SSC)  

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

All-Time Series: Tampa holds a lead over Palm Beach Atlantic 15-5, with a current win streak of 5 games. 

Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube    

HOW IT HAPPENED:  

First Set: The first set was kept close by the Spartans and the Sailfish. Towards the middle of the set the Spartans offense gained some momentum, causing the Sailfish to call a timeout with a score of 10-5. The Sailfish started to respond later in the set, bringing the score close again but, the Spartans offense proved too much. The Spartans would take the first set 25-19, behind Melissa Elias's nine assists. || Score: 1-0 Tampa

Second Set: Palm Beach Atlantic began the second set with a strong offensive showing, leading 9-4, causing the Spartans to call a timeout. However, in the middle of the set, the Spartans showed some offensive power, as they were able to narrow the deficit. The Sailfish were feeling the pressure of the Spartans, and decided to call a timeout, leading 15-13. The end of the set looked a lot like the beginning, with the teams going back and forth with the scoring. The Spartans' outstanding effort at the end of the set would put them on top, winning with a score of 27-25.  Sorrel Houghton led the Spartans in kills throughout the duration of the set as she recorded nine through the first two sets. || Score: 2-0 Tampa

Third Set: The opening of the third set was kept close, with both teams scoring points early. The middle of this set was very similar to the middle of the second set, with the teams going back and forth scoring points. Ultimately, the Sailfish would take this set 26-24, with a hard-fought battle by the Spartans. Houghton and Katie McKiel both recorded 11 kills throughout the first two sets for the Spartans. || Score: 2-1 Tampa   

Fourth Set: The Spartans opened the fourth set with some offensive momentum, causing the Sailfish to call a timeout with a score of 7-2. Tampa would continue to impress with their offensive attack in the middle of the set, leading with a score of 17-9. The Spartans would come out on top in this set, winning 25-13 and the match 3-1. || Final: 3-1 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:                      

• Claudia Rivera has recorded double digit digs in her last 22 of 24 games, as she recorded a career-high 34 on the night.
• Melissa Elias led the game in assists tonight as she recorded 28.
• Emily Noe posted her sixth game of the season with at least 20 assists, as she recorded 23 on the night. 

UP NEXT: The Spartans will travel to Lakeland on Tuesday, November 9 to take on the Florida Southern University Mocs at 7pm.

GAMEDAY MULTIMEDIA: Fans may watch all home games and Sunshine State Conference contests on TampaSpartans.tv. Live stats are also available through TampaStats.com.  

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