Tampa Stumbles on Day One of the Stetson Beach Blast

DeLAND, Fla. – The University of Tampa beach volleyball team fell in both of their matches on day one of the Stetson Beach Blast, hosted by Stetson University.

DUAL 1:
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Stetson Hatters 5, Tampa Spartans 0
Records: Tampa (5-3), Stetson (4-5)
Location: Cooper Beach Courts | DeLand, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The No. 16 Stetson Hatters swept UT in the first match of the Stetson Beach Blast.
• On the ones court, Sorrel Houghton and Melissa Elias were defeated in two sets by scores of 21-14 and 21-17.
• Leigh Buttner and Gabbi Pacatte also lost to the hatters in two, 21-16, 21-7.
• The closest match of the day was played on the threes court. Nicole Dominguez and Katie McKiel lost the first game 21-19, and then 21-16.
• Partners Taylor George and Sarah Moore lost their game by set scores of 21-7, and 21-9.
• On the fives court, Claire Blumenthal and Alexandra Misca lost 21-10, 21-7.
• Finally, Marisa Beisner and Nylah Demps teamed up for an exhibition match against the Hatters, who defeated the Spartans 21-11, 21-9.

DUAL 2:
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa Spartans 1, Mercer Bears 4
Records: Tampa (5-4), Mercer (2-0)
Location: Cooper Beach Courts | DeLand, Fla.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• On the ones court, Houghton and Elias were victorious over the Bears in two sets by scores of 21-13 and 21-18.
• Dominguez and McKiel played on the twos court and fell 21-16, 22-20.
• Partners Pacatte and Buttner played in the threes slot and lost in two, 21-19, 21-13.
• Coach Lamm used a new set of partners on the fours court. Alexandra Misca and Sarah Moore teamed up, defeating the Bears in the first game 21-19, before falling in games two and three, 21-14 and 15-10 respectively.
• Finally, Beisner and Demps played Mercer's fifth team. In a similar fashion to the fours, the Spartans won the first set 21-16, and then fell in the second two 23-21, and 15-10.
• The Mercer Bears defeated the University of Tampa Spartans by a final score of 4-1.

 BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• In its first season of play, the Spartans dropped the initial meeting with the Stetson Hatters and the Mercer Bears.

UP NEXT:
Tampa will compete against Texas A&M Kingsville in day two of the Stetson Beach Blast. The game is slated to begin at 8:00 a.m.

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