Spartans Hang On at Embry-Riddle to Stay Undefeated

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Spartans hold off a big comeback from the Eagles to stay undefeated.

Final Score: No. 1 Tampa 3 (1: 25-21, 2: 25-15, 3: 11-25, 4: 20-25, 5: 15-11), Embry-Riddle 2

Records: No. 1 Tampa (16-0, 8-0 SSC), Embry-Riddle (12-8, 5-5 SSC)

Location: ICI Center | Daytona Beach, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

First Set: Tampa started well, winning seven of the first 10 points to build a four point lead. The Eagles would quickly comeback by winning four straight points to tie the set 7-7. The teams would exchange a few points before Embry-Riddle would take a 15-12 lead. Tampa would then score the next nine points with Jenna Davis recording two kills and two blocks during the run. Tampa would go on to close out a first set that included seven kills from Connor Rahn. | Score: 25-21 Tampa

Second Set: The second set started back and forth with the teams sharing the first 10 points evenly. It was at this point though, where Tampa would take control by once again going on an extended scoring run, this time with the run being eight points. Tampa would not look back for the rest of the set as the Tampa attackers put their stamp on the second set with a .481 team hitting percentage. | Score 25-15 Tampa

Third Set: Following a kill by Rachel Gregg to open the set, the Eagles reversed the trick on the Spartans by scoring 15 of the next 17 points. Tampa's hitting percentage would plummet to .027 which allowed Embry-Riddle to run away with the third set without much of a struggle. | Score 11-25 Embry-Riddle

Fourth Set: Tampa would quickly reset as the fourth set would start off as a kill fest for both teams with 21 of the first 24 points ending with a kill. After the dust settled, the score would be 12-12 when Embry-Riddle would score the next five points to take a 17-12 lead. With Tampa trailing 22-15, Connor Rahn would take over by mashing three consecutive kills to get the Spartans back in the set. However, it would prove to be too little too late. | Score: 20-25 Embry-Riddle

Fifth Set: The fifth set got off to a similar start to the fourth as the score would sit at 7-7 after 14 points. Tampa would make the first move with a Nathaly Perez kill putting the Spartans up 10-8, but the Eagles would come right back to tie the set 10-10. That's when Tampa made the decisive move with four straight kills to bring up match points. Connor Rahn would record the final kill to close out the match with her 25th kill of the match. | Score: 15-11 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Connor Rahn's 25 kills are a career high.
• Tess Schrenger and Nathaly Perez both recorded 11 kills each.
• The Spartans improve to 18-0 overall and 3-0 in 5 set matches.
• Kayla Dondero recorded a double-double with a career-high tying 29 assists and 13 digs.
• Jenna Davis led the Spartans with 7 blocks.
• 4 Spartans recorded double digit digs.
• Olivia Guzman recorded the first 2 digs of her Spartan career.