WEEKEND PREVIEW: No. 3 Spartans Look to Defend Home Against 3 Visiting Conference Rivals

Friday, 7 p.m. vs Nova Southeastern 

Saturday, 4 p.m. vs Palm Beach Atlantic

#4 Tampa

• The Spartans are coming off yet another perfect weekend, only conceding 1 set through 2 SSC victories, over Barry and Lynn, keeping the undefeated start to 2023 alive and making the win streak now 10 games. This week the Spartans host 3 SSC opponents in St. Leo, Nova Southeastern, and Palm Beach Atlantic whom the Spartans went a combined 5-1 against in their 2022 season. Mackenzie Dufresne and Jenna Davis currently sit atop of the SSC leaderboard for hitting percentages of .371 and .363, respectively. The Spartans' JJ Ramirez can also find herself in a similar position as her two teammates, leading the SSC in digs with a total of 162 across 32 sets (5.06 avg).  

St. Leo

• Currently on a three-game winning streak, the Lions have started the year with a record of 8-2. St. Leo travels to Tampa to play the Spartans on Tuesday and then head over to play fellow SSC opponent, Embry-Riddle. This will be the first matchup between the Lions and Spartans since the final game of the 2022 season, where Tampa eliminated St. Leo 3 sets to none. However, St. Leo has also been able to maintain a strong defensive presence this season as they are currently ranked second in the SSC in kills allowed by opponents with an average of 9.83 per set. Conversely, the Spartans lead the SSC in kills this season with an average of 14.48 per set.

Nova Southeastern

• After being voted 4th in the Sunshine State Conference preseason poll and hosting their early season Invitational tournament, the Sharks won 3 straight games against opponents from the northeast. However, since their tournament the Sharks have gone 4-3 overall, but have faired well with conference play, going 3-1. The Sharks have had good statistical play with setter, Madison Cook, averaging 9.5 assists per set, second in SSC rankings, and also coming in second in the SSC for kills per set is outside hitter, Nadia Lindner, as she has 134 kills over 32 sets (4.19 avg). Cook and Lindner were also named the setter of the week and offensive player of the week, respectively, in the SSC.

Palm Beach Atlantic

• The Sailfish have appeared to struggle thus far to begin their 2023 campaign; With an overall record of 5-6, 1-3 in SSC play, and currently on a three-game losing streak. On the bright side for the Sailfish, they are currently leading the Sunshine State Conference in aces with an average of 1.93 per set. Losing both of their matches against Tampa last season, Palm Beach will be looking to get out ahead of the Spartans early in hopes of not repeating last year. The Sailfish were able to retain 10 players from last season and brought in 5 new faces, 3 of whom are freshmen.