Spartans Split on Day 1 at Tampa Beach Brawl
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa beach volleyball team split a pair of matches on Friday at the Tampa Beach Volleyball Complex, falling 4-1 to South Florida in the morning before responding with a dominant 5-0 sweep of Palm Beach Atlantic in the afternoon.
The Spartans showcased resilience throughout the day, bouncing back from a challenging morning dual with a clean sweep against the Sailfish to close out the home slate.
How It Happened – South Florida
South Florida claimed the early advantage at the No. 5 position, where Tereza Lajkebova and Kate Stewart defeated Sammie Ostrander and Brooke Green in straight sets, 21-15, 21-13.
The Bulls extended their lead at the No. 2 spot as Julia Panko and Cornelia Crudu battled past Kaelyn Fredette-Huffman and Hailey Peterson in three sets, 17-21, 21-13, 15-12.
At No. 3, Morgan Anderson and Abigail Lagemann secured another point for USF with a 21-15, 23-21 victory over Lauren Duke and Jordan Berglin, giving the Bulls control of the dual.
South Florida clinched the match at the No. 1 flight where Zoey Mitchell and Josephine Sek topped Nevaeh Wolfe and Hailey Wolfe in straight sets, 24-22, 21-15.
Tampa earned its lone point at the No. 4 position as Tess Schrenger and Angel Williams delivered a strong performance, defeating Sasha Pasloski and Isabella Almeida 21-19, 21-19.
How It Happened – Palm Beach Atlantic
Tampa responded in emphatic fashion in the afternoon dual, sweeping all five flights against Palm Beach Atlantic.
At the No. 1 position, the Wolfe's set the tone early with a decisive 21-17, 21-18 victory over Katie Galligan and Angela Goggin.
The Spartans continued to roll at No. 2 as Fredette-Huffman and Peterson controlled their match against Savanna Rogers and Katelyn Nadeau, winning 21-19, 21-16.
Schrenger and Williams remained undefeated on the day at the No. 3 spot, defeating Sydney Corbett and Cameron Ring 21-18, 21-13.
Duke and Berglin added another point for Tampa with a commanding 21-10, 21-15 win at No. 4 over Grace Reynolds and Annika Huhtamaki.
At the No. 5 flight where Anna Bayes and Taylor Bedinghaus secured a 21-19, 21-19 victory over Maggie Cox and Zoye Caroline.
South Florida 4, Tampa 1
• Zoey Mitchell/Josephine Sek (USF) def. Nevaeh Wolfe/Hailey Wolfe (UT) 24-22, 21-15
• Julia Panko/Cornelia Crudu (USF) def. Kaelyn Fredette-Huffman/Hailey Peterson (UT) 17-21, 21-13, 15-12
• Morgan Anderson/Abigail Lagemann (USF) def. Lauren Duke/Jordan Berglin (UT) 21-15, 23-21
• Tess Schrenger/Angel Williams (UT) def. Sasha Pasloski/Isabella Almeida (USF) 21-19, 21-19
• Tereza Lajkebova/Kate Stewart (USF) def. Sammie Ostrander/Brooke Green (UT) 21-15, 21-13
Tampa 5, Palm Beach Atlantic 0
• Nevaeh Wolfe/Hailey Wolfe (UT) def. Katie Galligan/Angela Goggin (PBA) 21-17, 21-18
• Kaelyn Fredette-Huffman/Hailey Peterson (UT) def. Savanna Rogers/Katelyn Nadeau (PBA) 21-19, 21-16
• Tess Schrenger/Angel Williams (UT) def. Sydney Corbett/Cameron Ring (PBA) 21-18, 21-13
• Lauren Duke/Jordan Berglin (UT) def. Grace Reynolds/Annika Huhtamaki (PBA) 21-10, 21-15
• Anna Bayes/Taylor Bedinghaus (UT) def. Maggie Cox/Zoye Caroline (PBA) 21-19, 21-19
Up Next: Tampa returns to action tomorrow March 7 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. against PBA and Eckerd.