Spartans Conclude Tampa Classic 4-0

TAMPA, Fla. - Closing out the Tampa Classic in perfect form, the No. 4 University of Tampa volleyball team emerged victorious with a pair of wins against Colorado Christian University and Clarion University, both coming in three sets.

The Spartans improve to a perfect 4-0 to start the season while the CCU Cougars drop to 1-3. The Clarion Golden Eagles ended play 1-3 as well, as the Spartans coast through the tournament winning each match in three sets.

In the first match, Tampa spun a 3-0 victory with freshmen Kahley Patrick and Meagan Burke stepping into Spartan form. Setter Patrick notched 34 assists and seven digs while middle hitting Burke tallied nine swats on the match.

Tampa won its first set 25-19 with Selkridge and Yingling acting as the Spartan momentum, contributing 11 of the team's 16 set one kills. The second frame was won by a 25-13 margin where freshman Burke swatted six kills for the Tampa offense. The final set saw Brianne Yeates block two and kill three, as the Spartans won 25-19.

The nightcap of the twin bill saw the Spartans stampede the Cougars behind a dominating performance from Selkridge. CCU had no answer to the swift swinging middle hitter as she paced the offensive attack with 11 kills in 13 swings for a staggering .846 attack percentage.

Freshman middle hitter Burke blocked five Cougar attacks while Holly Reschke posted four of her own in the Spartan nightcap.

In the first frame, Yingling grounded five for the Spartan tempo with libero Julie Howlett notching six digs as UT won 25-18. Round two followed suit as Selkridge hit a blistering 6-for-6 to silence the CCU defense, winning by a 25-15 tally. Tampa won the final set 25-17 as freshman Burke blocked three to stifle the opposition as the Spartans totaled five blocks on the set.

Tampa vs. Clarion Box Score

Tampa vs. Colorado Christian Box Score

2011 Tampa Classic all-tournament team
Kellie Bartman, Clarion
Lindsay Biggs, Eckerd
Julie Howlett, Tampa
Jen Krumwiede, Lewis
Colleen Mitros, Lewis
Lauren Rosenthal, Colorado Christian
Danielle Selkridge, Tampa (Most Outstanding Player)
Jessica Yingling, Tampa

The Spartans hit the road to face Pittsburgh State University. The contest will take place Friday at noon in the Central Missouri hosted tournament.

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