WINTER PARK, Fla. (November 23, 2019) - The University of Tampa Spartans ended the Rollins season with a 3-0 defeat over the Tars on Saturday in Winter Park.
From the first serve, Tampa controlled the game. Ten points in, the score was 7-3 in favor of the Spartans. Under the service of Melissa Elias, Tampa was able to rip off eleven points in a row to put the first set out of reach. They would eventually take the set by a score fo 25-10. Rollins only managed four kills in the set, led by a pair from Harper Smith. Meanwhile, Tampa produced 15 kills to cruise to the win.
The second set was much more competitive. Rollins tallied nine kills at a .200 attack percentage, and were in the game for most of the set. Trailing 18-10, Rollins tallied struck for four points in a row to make it a 4-point game, and forced Tampa to take a timeout. Unfortunately, the Spartans were able to make the necessary adjustments, and were able to maintain their lead, eventually winning 25-17. Candace Doxey led the team with five kills and a solo block in the set.
Tampa, the reinging national champions, did not hold back in the third set. The Spartans jumped out to an 8-0 lead and di not look back, winning the set 25-8 and taking the match.
Doxey was the leading attacker for Rollins in this one, tallying six kills. She alsao had two solo and one assisted block. Riley Spurlin added five kills and a block of her own, while Rebecca Kuehn tallied eleven assists and eight digs.
The Tars finish with a record of 8-23 for the 2019 season, which improved their win total from the 2018 season. The team leaders for the year were:
Kills - Riley Spurlin, 345
Attack Percentage - Rachel Reeve, .296
Assists - Rachel Reeve, 784
Service Aces - Rachel Reeve, 26
Digs - Charlie Durbin, 428
Blocks - Alexis Yeager, 108
