BOCA RATON, Fla. – The University of Tampa Spartans volleyball team opened up the 2019 NCAA South Regional with a matchup against the University of Alabama in Huntsville Chargers. Tampa defeated the Chargers in straight sets and advance to the NCAA South Region semifinals. With the victory, UT is now 24-8 on the season, while UAH concludes their season at 24-10.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

Tampa jumped out to an early five-point lead as they were up 9-4 on Alabama-Huntsville. UAH was able to string together some runs, pulling within two points with a score of 14-12. The Spartans would not allow the Chargers to close the gap, and went on to win the set 25-20. As a team, UT hit .389 in the opening set, while holding UAH to a .150 percentage. 

The second set started much like the first, as the Spartans were able to hold an early 9-4 advantage. The Chargers would again rally to get the game within one point at 13-12. Tampa would regain control of the set, going on a 7-1 run to go up 20-13. The Spartans closed the set out at 25-18 as Katie McKiel recorded the final point. 

Alabama-Huntsville was able to control most of the third set, seeing as much as a seven point advantage over Tampa, with a score of 19-12. The Spartans were able to battle back, as they pulled within four points at 23-19, forcing a Chargers timeout. Following the timeout, Nicole Dominguez would go to the service line and close the game out for Tampa. UT would go on to score the next six points, as Dominguez recorded three service aces down the stretch. A McKiel kill would give the Spartans a 25-23 victory. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Katie McKiel led the Spartans attack with 14 kills, and finished the game with no errors for a .483 hitting percentage. She would also add 10 digs to record a double-double. 
• Sammy Mueller finished with a game-high 29 assists. 
• Kamari Potter would record eight kills and no errors, as she swung at a .615 percentage. 
• The Spartan offense would swing at a .354 clip and would only get blocked once in the game. 
• The Spartans defense recorded six blocks, holding the Chargers to a .176 hitting percentage. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Tampa now has an all-time 6-1 record over Alabama-Huntsville. 
• Sammy Mueller reached 4,000 career assists in the first set of the game.

UP NEXT:

The Spartans will face Barry University in the semifinal round of the NCAA South Regional. The two teams have split the season series, with both games going to five sets. The game is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m this Friday, December 6.

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