Spartans Win in Matchup Against St. Leo

SAINT LEO, Fla. – The top-ranked Spartans secure the win on the road against St. Leo.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 

Final Score: No. 4 Tampa 3 (1: 25-12, 2: 25-18, 4: 25-21) , St. Leo 1 (3: 25-21)

Records: No. 4 Tampa (13-1, 6-1 SSC) , St. Leo (5-11 1-7 SSC)

Location: Marion Bowman Activities Center || Saint Leo, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

First Set: The game started with a long rally and St. Leo securing the first point. It didn't take long for Tampa to get on the board before going on a 9-0 run, with Kalli Cors serving, forcing St. Leo to call a timeout. There was a small segment of miscommunication on Tampa's defense allowing St. Leo to capitalize and decrease Tampa's lead. Mackenzie Dufresne attempted to pump some energy back into Tampa converting on two kills extending their lead. Tampa kept the aggression with their defense standing strong helping them secure the first set. Nathaly Perez, Tess Schrenger, and Dufresne all finished set one with two or more kills. Score: 25-12 (Tampa)

Second Set: The second set starting with back to back points being scored. Tampa went on a 5-0 run then lost the lead before quickly reclaiming it. St. Leo fought back decreasing Tampa's lead to one, but couldn't take the lead. Tampa went on another 5-0 run putting them in position to close the set early. Schrenger secures the set with a kill at the end. Score: 25-18 (Tampa)

Third Set: The first four points of the set were briskly put up by both teams. St. Leo showed determination to win their first set, while Tampa was trying to close out the game. After one mistake made by Tampa, St. Leo takes the lead then goes on a 9-0 run. This puts Tampa in their first deficit of the night having to crawl back from behind. Jenna Davis showed her versatility this set with a monstrous kill and solo block to help her team come back. Tampa decreased the lead to one but St. Leo continued to have the upper hand the rest of the set, taking set three. Score: 25-21 (St. Leo)

Fourth Set: St. Leo started on a 3-0 run carrying the momentum from set three into the fourth set. Tampa caught up tying the game before losing the lead and being down by four. Perez closed out a long rally with a dominate kill helping Tampa start their resurgence through the rest of the set. The remainder of the game was a battle with back to back lead changes. Tampa reclaimed the lead and maintained it before closing out the set with a kill from Dufresne. Score: 25-21 (Tampa)

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Three Spartans finished with eight or more kills: Perez (15), Schrenger (9), Dufresne (8)
• Davis finished with a season-high eight blocks
• Tampa finished with a .206% hitting percentage