No. 23 Spartans Set to Host Eckerd for Weeknight Clash
The UT volleyball team remains in the AVCA Coaches Poll with a No. 23 ranking before they prepare for the Tritons of Eckerd College. The two teams square off on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.
TAMPA, Fla. – Despite coming off a 1-2 week, the University of Tampa volleyball team remains ranked in the AVCA Coaches Poll as the No. 23 team in Division II. The Spartans will put its ranking to the test as they welcome the top Sunshine State Conference foe in Eckerd College for a Tuesday night match in the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.
The Matchup: No. 23 University of Tampa (15-5, 5-3 SSC) vs. Eckerd College (14-6, 6-2 SSC)
• UT stumbles to the No. 23 team in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Coaches Poll, as announced Monday. The Spartans have held a top-25 ranking in a program-record 278 consecutive poll releases, dating back to the 1995 season.
• Despite suffering its first loss of the season, Minnesota-Duluth continues as the No. 1 team in the division. The top five remain unchanged as Southwest Minn. State, Concordia-St. Paul, Nebraska_Kearney and Wheeling Jesuit round out the five, in order. Palm Beach Atlantic and Florida Southern are the lone other teams to represent the region, sitting No. 12 and No. 24, respectively.
• The Tritons are tied for first-place in the Sunshine State Conference, owning a 6-2 tally in SSC action alongside Florida Southern College.
• Tampa battled Eckerd to a 3-1 win on the road earlier in the season led by a 21-kill onslaught from Allee Stelogeannis. The senior posted a double-double effort with 17 digs.
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 25 at 7 p.m.
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
Last Time Out: The Spartans fell in four sets to the top-ranked team in the region, as No. 12 Palm Beach Atlantic took a 3-1 road victory over UT. Sophomore Gen Beaumier led the attack, totaling 15 kills at a .294 attack percentage. Freshman Katie McKiel added 13 kills at an even .300 swing as the offense could not match the strong middle corps of PBA.
About the Spartans: Stelogeannis has been a force for the Spartans outside attack, totaling 312 kills while ranking second in the SSC averaging 4.22 per set. Middle blocker Alexandra Misca is second in attack percentage, converting at a hot .341 clip. Libero Logan Holanchock has been dynamic for Tampa's defense, providing 63 digs in the past three games, averaging 5.25 per set over that span. The sophomore has totaled 331 this season.
About the Tritons: Eckerd is led by two-time SSC Offensive Player of the Week JaQuayla Baker. Baker has 200 kills on the season at a strong .338 attack percentage in 20 games played. Reigning SSC Player of the Week Kali Boatwright is the Triton's option at the outside pin, notching 180 kills across 20 matches. The Eckerd defense is anchored by libero Kaitlyn Sibson, who has 372 digs while averaging 4.77 per set to rank fourth in the conference.
Series History: Tampa owns a towering 63-1 overall record, winning the last 11 matchups. When at home, the Spartans are a pristine 33-0 against the Tritons.
Tickets: Tickets for are $5 for adults, senior citizens and coaches. Children under 12 will be admitted free. UT students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with a valid student ID.
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