TAMPA, Fla.  –  The University of Tampa Spartans returned to their home court as they hosted the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles. UT pulled out the four-set victory, and now improve their record to 21-8 and 14-4 in the Sunshine State Conference. Embry-Riddle now sits at 19-5 overall and 12-5 in the SSC. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first set started with the Spartans on the board first, as Katie McKiel recorded a kill. UT was able to jump out to a 14-6 lead over ERAU. The Eagle would then use a run, scoring the next nine of the next 12 points to pull within two points at 17-15. ERAU was able to battle back to tie the game at 24, but UT used back to back kills by Sorrel Houghton to take the set 26-24. In the set, McKiel and Houghton would combine for 15 kills.

Embry-Riddle would score first in the second set, but the Spartans would rebound scoring the next four points to take the 4-1 lead. The game would remain close as the score was 13-11, but the Tampa offense was able to go on a hot streak as they would pull ahead with a demanding 23-14 lead. Houghton would also finish out the second set for the Spartans as her kill sealed the 5-17 victory in the set.

ERAU was first on the board in the third set as they held an early 6-3 advantage over UT. The Spartans would bounce back scoring the next eight points, as they went to hold an 11-6 lead. The Eagles would answer back with a run of their own as the teams would be deadlocked at 13. Following a Tampa timeout, the Eagle would overtake the lead as they went on a 5-1 run leading 18-14. The Spartans were able to pull within two points at 24-22, but Embry-Riddle took the set with a final score of 25-22.

UT was able to jump out to an early lead on ERAU as they went up 6-2 early in the set. The Eagles would pull within one point at 9-8 but the Spartans would open the lead back up to 13-8. Tampa would not allow Embry-Riddle to close the gap in the set as they went on to win the set by a final of 25-20.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Sammy Mueller matched a career-high with 61 assists in the game. She finished the game with a double-double as she added 18 digs on the night.
• Katie McKiel would lead the offense as she finished the game with 21 kills and a .447 hitting percentage.  
• Sorrel Houghton would finish the game with 18 kills on the night.
• Melissa Elias would also finish with a double-double, as she had 16 kills and 13 digs.
• Kamari Potter would also finish the game with double-digit kills with 11.
• Claudia Rivera and Nicole Dominguez would finish the game with 15 digs each.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• With the victory, Tampa improves to 11-0 all-time against Embry Riddle.
• UT completes the regular-season sweep over ERAU.
• The victory snaps the Spartans two-game losing streak.  

UP NEXT

The Spartans will return to action tomorrow, as they host the Florida Tech Panthers at 4:00 p.m. This will mark the final regular-season home game for four Spartans. Sammy Mueller, Nicole Dominguez, Brooklyn Wilson, and Lauren Kotey will all be honored before the game.

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