Box Score
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa showed why it's among the nation's best, gradually pulling away to prevent an upset bid by the Eckerd College volleyball team in order to keep an undefeated record intact, 3-1 (25-14, 20-25, 25-19, 25-18).
Lindsay Biggs led Eckerd with a double-double, tallying 12 kills and 13 digs, while Alex Laton and Ali McAlvany reached double-digit kill totals with 11 and 10, respectively.
Hallie Ward dug out 11 Tampa attacks and Bri Smith and Madison Burr combined for 41 of the team's 46 assists.
The Tritons (9-3, 2-2 SSC) were able to take the second set from the AVCA's second-ranked team in the country, but couldn't narrow the gap any closer against the Spartans (13-0, 5-0 SSC).
Eckerd's losses this year have all been against programs with implications in the national polls, including then No. 15-Lewis (Ill.) University, No. RV Rollins College and No. 2 Tampa.
The Spartans' back-to-back Sunshine State Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, Danielle Selkridge (10 kills, 4 total blocks) and Julie Howlett (12 digs), again provided key contributions their team's cause.
Tampa's frontline height equaled a total of 12 blocks and caused problems in the first set, tempering the Tritons' offense to a .050 hitting percentage. Conversely, the Spartans hit at a .448 clip and broke one early tie to control the tempo in the first set.
Eckerd bounced back in the next frame and answered the call with a 5-1 run to end the set, finished with a kill from Kaleigh Humphrey. A 7-2 run early in the second set helped provide some separation and a near wire-to-wire lead.
Tampa was able to generate some late momentum and even though the two teams would string together six consecutive sideouts, the deficit was too much to overcome on Eckerd's end in the go-ahead third game.
Selkridge keyed a 4-1 run to give the Spartans a five-point edge and help clinch the third set.
Jessica Yingling provided two of her four blocks at key points in the decisive fourth set, a nice complement to her 11 kills on the afternoon. Eckerd tied the set on one occasion (2-2) after an ace served up by Humphrey, but trailed the rest of the way.
The Tritons will look to get back on the winning track with upcoming back-to-back home conference matches in the McArthur Center. Eckerd will entertain Barry University on Friday at 4 p.m. before playing host on Saturday to Lynn University with a 4 p.m. start.
