TAMPA, Fla.  – The University of Tampa Spartans returned to the Bob Martinez Athletic Center as they hosted the Florida Southern College Moccasins. The Spartans used a dominating offensive attack to defeat the Mocs in three sets. After the game UT moves to 7-6, 3-2 SSC, while FSC moves to 2-10, 0-5 SSC.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Spartans were the first team to score, as Melissa Elias registered the kill. The two teams would exchange points back and forth as no team was able to pull ahead by more than two points. The two teams would be tied a total of 18 times in the first set with the last tie coming at 22-22. UT then went on to score the next three points, scoring the 25th point on an attack error by FSC.

In the second set, the Mocs were able to get on the board first, as they recorded a service ace. This set mirrored the first set as the two teams battled and neither could pull too far ahead. The Spartans were the first to 20 points, as they had a 20-18 lead following a service error. UT would then score the next five of six points to win the set 25-19. Katie McKiel scored the final three points of the set for Tampa.

Set three was a complete opposite start from the first two sets as the Spartans jumped out to a 13-1 lead, forcing the Mocs to use both timeouts. Sorrel Houghton was serving for Tampa, as they went on a 10-0 run. Florida Southern was able to regain their footing and went on a couple of scoring runs, but UT went on to dominate the third set by a final score of 25-10.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Katie McKiel continued to lead the Spartans as she recorded 18 kills. Along with the 18 kills, McKiel swung at a .630 percentage, which is a career high.
• Sorrel Houghton also recorded double-digit kills as she finished with 10 on the night.
• Kamari Potter finished with seven kills, as she hit at a .600 percentage.
• Nicole Dominguez led the team in digs with 17 and Sammy Mueller led the team with 25 assists.
• As a team, the Spartans hit .427, which is the highest percentage for the season.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Tampa improves their all-time series record against Florida Southern to 74-56.

UP NEXT

UT will return to action on Friday, as they welcome in Nova Southeastern at 7:00 p.m.

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