No. 1 Spartans Knockout No. 8 Badgers in NCAA First Round

TAMPA, Fla. – No. 1 Seed Tampa Opens Up The Post Season With A Win Over No. 8 Spring Hill.

Final Score: Tampa 3 (1: 25-14, 2: 25-16, 3: 25-19), Spring Hill 0

Records: No. 1 Tampa (29-1, 19-1 SSC), No. 8 Spring Hill (30-5, 19-0 SIAC)

Location: Bob Martinez Sports Center | Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

First Set: The Spartans opened up the match strong, seizing a 5-1 lead that was aided by three straight kills from three different Spartans. However, that did not intimidate the Badgers as they capitalized on an ace from Kristen Mitternight and four Spartan errors to close the gap by two. Tampa responded with two kills that were assisted by Zoey Seput, forcing the Spring Hill coach, Peggy Martin, to call the first timeout of the evening. This had no effect on the Spartans as they continued to extend their lead to 14-9. The Badgers called for another timeout in hopes to get back on track, but it would be no help as the Spartans would go on a four point run that included an Emily Noe-assisted kill and ace from Tess Schrenger.  | Score: 25-14 Tampa

Second Set: The Spartans came into the second set in a similar style, capturing an early lead with kills from Kalli Cors and Nathaly Perez. This response from the Spartans encouraged the Badgers' coach to call for a timeout. Tampa started to take control of the set as they widen the lead to 15-6 with three Schrenger kills. While Spring Hill utilized a second timeout during the set, it was no help as Tampa closed out the set on a Spring Hill service error. The Spartans recorded 13 digs as well as 15 kills that contributed to the set's hitting percentage of 0.536. | Score: 25-16 Tampa

Third Set: Spring Hill entered the third set with a quick 5-2 lead that was aided by three Spartan errors. With the help of back-to-back kills from MacKenzie Dufresne, the Spartans were able to secure three points that knotted the set to 5-5. Both teams started to have back and forth action, with Spring Hill recapturing the lead and Tampa fighting back to keep the score close. With a three point run that included a kill by Jenna Davis and two attack errors from the opposing team, the Spartans snagged the lead at 15-14. The Spartan run continued after the Badgers called the first timeout of the set with a Dufresne kill and ace by JJ Ramirez. At 20-16, Coach Martin for Spring Hill called for the final timeout of the set in hopes of staying in the match, but the Spartans had the momentum and captured the win.  | Score: 25-19 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• The Spartans held the Badgers to a 0.040 hitting percentage

• Dufresne led the match with 11 kills along with the leading hitting percentage of 0.647

• The match was led with 22 Seput assists and 16 Ramirez digs