Box Score
TAMPA, Fla. – In a relentless battle to keep its winning streak alive, the Eckerd College volleyball program (21-8, 12-3 SSC) took No. 7 University of Tampa (26-3, 15-0 SSC) to five sets, falling 3-2 (24-26, 25-17, 25-16, 22-25, 15-8).
The Tritons came from behind to take the first set from Tampa. They got down early and had a huge spark from senior middle blocker
Alex Laton who came in to get back-to-back kills.
A service ace from freshman
Emily Schadow gave Eckerd their first lead of the set.
The set went point-for-point until sophomore
Ali McAlvany and junior captain
Lindsay Biggs put down the final block sending the Tritons into the second set up 1-0.
Eckerd trailed the Spartans throughout the entire second set and headed into the locker room tied 1-1 with the Spartans.
Biggs ended the night with 22 kills while McAlvany added 15 kills of her own. Junior setter
Madison Burr and Schadow dished out 22 and 15 assists respectively.
Despite the impressive effort from the Tritons' hitting attack, they were outhit .353 to .158 at the end of five sets. The Spartans had four players in double-figure kills.
Tampa got another early jump in the third set and the lead was too much for the Tritons to climb back from.
The fourth set belonged to the Tritons. They came out with the momentum on their side and the defense forced the Spartans into eight attack errors.
They started making a come back but a killer block from senior middle
Olivia Fraser closed the door and advanced the Tritons to the final set.
The fifth set was controlled by Tampa. Eckerd hit .087 while Tampa hit .600 to close the night.
Eckerd will travel to Miami Shores to wrap up the regular season against Barry University.
The NCAA selection show will be held at 10 p.m. on Sunday evening. Stay tuned for an additional announcement regarding the team's plans.
