Box Score ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Eckerd College volleyball program fell to No. 3 University of Tampa in a Sunshine State Conference match at the McArthur Center on Saturday afternoon, 3-1 (25-17, 20-25, 18-25, 14-25).
EC entered the match coming off a tough loss on its home court the night before against rival Rollins College while Tampa survived an upset bid on the road, squeaking out a five-set final over Saint Leo University on Friday.
UT, the national runner-up last season, won its fifth straight since falling to defending NCAA champion Concordia University (Minn.) St. Paul in a rematch mid-September.
The Tritons (8-5, 2-3 SSC) came out fighting and energized in the first set, taking advantage of 10 Spartans' (12-1, 4-0 SSC) attacking errors to coast to an early 1-0 lead.
After Eckerd jumped out to a 4-1 lead to begin the second set, Tampa rallied for six straight points with the assistance of four Triton attacking errors and kills from AVCA All-American senior Holly Reschke and sophomore outside hitter Berkley Whaley.
Both teams battled back and forth -- tying it at 13-13 -- until Tampa rallied for seven straight points and took control in a 25-20 decision to tie the match at one set apiece.
Whaley, a transfer from the University of Florida and the sister of former Eckerd four-year letterwinner
Taylor Whaley, keyed a 7-0 run with a pair of service aces.
Whaley, All-American middle blocker Meagan Burke and another middle blocker, Jessica Wilson, helped the Spartan defense impose their will along the front line, combining for 15 total blocks (seven solo, 16 assisted).
Wagner tallied six block assists and one solo block, Burke collected two block assists and four solo blocks and Whaley tabbed five block assists for the Spartans as they limited the Eckerd offense to a .048 and .059 hitting percentage in the third and fourth sets.
The third set was much like the second. The Tritons led 13-9 before Tampa pulled away with six consecutive points and ultimately held the momentum in the final two sets.
Tampa opened up the fourth set on a 12-2 run, riding a pair of service aces from defensive specialist Kendall Putnam to control possession.
Eckerd senior
Lindsay Biggs finished with 12 kills, nine digs and a pair of block assists, junior
Ali McAlvany tabbed 12 kills, eight digs and two block assists. Sophomore
Tjasa Kotnik recorded eight kills to the tune of a .571 attacking percentage while senior setter
Madison Burr tallied a double-double with 34 assists and a dozen digs.
Whaley and Reschke led Tampa with a team-high 12 kills in the winning effort.
Eckerd is back in action on Wednesday, Oct. 9, against Sunshine State Conference opponent Saint Leo University at 7 p.m. EST in St. Petersburg.
