Spartans Pull Away From Eckerd to Win in Four Sets

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Spartans defeat the Tritons in four sets to complete season sweep.

Final Score: No. 1 Tampa 3 (1: 26-24, 2: 25-18, 3: 26-28, 4: 25-12), Eckerd 1

Records: No. 1 Tampa (23-0, 15-0 SSC), Eckerd (15-11, 5-10 SSC)

Location: McArthur Center | St. Petersburg, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

First Set: Tampa got off to a slow start as Eckerd led 7-1 after eight points. When trailig 11-4, Connor Rahn stepped up to record a kill immediately followed by an ace. Eckerd was able to build a seemingly insurmountable 22-15 lead, but Tampa scored a timely four straight points including back-to-back solo blocks by Jenna Davis. Trailing 24-21, Tampa would save three set points and go on to win the set behind two aces from Tess Schrenger and a solo block by Rahn after trailing by as many as eight points earlier in the set. | Score: 26-24 Tampa

Second Set: Tampa carried the momentum from the end of the first set and took a quick 7-2 lead in the second set. Tampa's fast start was sparked by Nathaly Perez, who recorded three kills and a solo block before Tampa reached 10 points. Tampa would carry that lead and would not lead by less than four points for the rest of the set to a comfortable set win behind a .457 hitting percentage. | Score 25-18 Tampa

Third Set: Eckerd would bounce back and force a tight back and forth third set with both teams hitting over .300 and the teams combining to hit .333. There were an eye-catching 17 ties in the second set with neither team leading by more than three points. Rahn would come up with two kills in four points to bring up a match point. However, they were unable to capitalize and Eckerd would force a fourth set. | Score 28-26 Eckerd

Fourth Set: Tampa would quickly bounce back from the disappointment of the previous set by scoring seven straight points early in set four including two aces by Rachel Gregg. Mid set, Schrenger would record four kills in a span of six Spartan points to extend Tampa's lead to 19-7. Tampa would comfortably close out the match shortly after. | Score: 25-12 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Rivera led the team with 33 digs, marking the second time she has recorded at least 30 digs this season.
• 3 Spartans recorded double-doubles: Jenna Glaudel (assists and digs), Rahn, and Schrenger (kills and digs).
• Kayla Dondero and Glaudel both recorded at least 20 assists, only the fourth time this has happened this season.
• 5 Spartans recorded double-digit digs.