Streaking Spartans Dig Past Nova

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 8 University of Tampa (22-2, 9-1 SSC) volleyball team celebrated its "Think Pink" Dig For The Cure fundraiser with a 3-0 victory over Nova Southeastern University (14-9, 5-5 SSC) in Sunshine State Conference action. The match was UT's eighth consecutive victory as the Spartans have also reeled off 24 straight sets.

UT won by scores of 25-22, 25-21, 25-20. For breast cancer awareness, the Spartans have worn pink uniforms for the entire month of October and culminated the effort while asking fans to donate money for each Spartan dig. Tampa finished the event with 38 digs.

Nova took a 2-1 lead in the first set before Tampa broke the frame open with seven straight points to take a commanding 9-2 advantage. The Spartans led by as many as eight points en route to taking the three point victory.

UT got off to a 5-0 lead in the second set and withstood a NSU rally in the middle of the frame where the Sharks took six of seven points to trim a 14-7 UT lead to 15-13. UT rebounded with a 5-1 rally of its own to position itself for the set two win.

In the third set, neither team led by more than three points until Tampa took a 23-19 tilt on a Kaleigh Cunningham kill. The Spartans closed out the straight set sweep while taking four of the final five points.

Cunningham and Melissa Vanderhall shared team honors with 14 kills apiece as the duo also hit .423 and .323 respectively. Danielle Selkridge added seven kills as UT outhit the Sharks .384 to .243 as a team. Meghan Sherman led Tampa with 39 assists.

Julie Howlett turned in a team-high 12 digs as Selkridge had three blocks to lead the Spartans. Cunningham and Camille Hanks each added a pair of blocks as well.

The Spartans travel to Melbourne to meet SSC opponent Florida Tech on Wednesday at 4 p.m. UT will offer live stats through www.tampaspartans.com.

UT continues to accept donations for the cause, which will allow participants to enter for a chance to win three tickets to the University of Florida's football game against Vanderbilt on Nov. 7. The drawing will take place on Oct. 30 at the home game against Rollins, and all proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

Fans may visit www.tampaspartans .com and click on Multimedia to view the services. Fans may follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans). UT also offers eScores, which is a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events.