Spartans Bounce Back in Dominant Win Over Embry-Riddle

TAMPA, Fla. – Spartans bounce back in dominant win over Embry-Riddle

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 

Final Score: No. 5 Tampa 3 (1: 25-18, 2: 25-17, 3: 25-17) Embry-Riddle 0

Records: No. 5 Tampa (11-1, 4-1 SSC), Embry-Riddle (9-4, 3-2 SSC)

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

HOW IT HAPPENED:  

First Set: Looking to bounce back after last weekend's tough battle on the road, the Spartans came out flying in their first set back home. Tampa jumped out to an early 6-1 lead and forced an early timeout from the Golden Eagles. Neither team gave up more than two straight points for the remainder of the set, and the Spartans rode the early lead to a first set victory. Score: 25-18 (1-0 Tampa)

Second Set: Similar to the first, it was an early scoring run that built a sizable lead for the Spartans. Outside hitter Kalli Cors went on an eight point scoring run from the service line, helping the Spartans gain a six point lead early. Steller setting from Zoey Seput led the Spartans to two more scoring runs later in the set, which gave Embry-Riddle little chance of recovery. Score: 25-17 (2-0 Tampa)

Third Set: The early goings of the third set were much tighter than the first two frames. The Spartans looked to extend a lead after a kill from Cors put the score at 4-8, but the Golden Eagles responded with a run of their own and brought the score back to eight all after a service ace. Great defense and consistent offense from the Spartans, who utilized bursts of two- and three-point streaks, slowly chipped away at Embry-Riddle until there was no more time for the Golden Eagles to recover. Score: 25-17 (3-0 Tampa)

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Outside hitters Cors and Nathaly Perez both tallied double digit kills.
• Middle blocker Mackenzie Dufresne  notched six kills on nine swings with no errors, hitting .677.
• Seput recorded 19 assists, extending her streak of double digit assists to eight games.