Box Score TAMPA, Fla. - The Eckerd volleyball team lost its grip on first place in the Sunshine State Conference on Tuesday night as the Tritons struggled to find a groove in a 3-0 loss at No. 23 Tampa (15-25, 18-25, 15-25).
Errors, in particular, presented a problem for Eckerd (14-7, 6-3 SSC), which committed 27 on the attack and had more in the second and third sets (10 each) than the Spartans did for the entire match (9). Â In all, the Tritons committed 44 errors compared to 25 for Tampa.
The Spartans (15-6, 6-3 SSC) raced out to early leads in all three sets, and Eckerd was unable to overcome the deficit each time. Â UT never strung together a long series of points in the first set, but rather systematically pulled away with a trio of three-point runs and quick side-outs when Eckerd earned a point.
The same pattern held true early in the second set as Tampa built a 13-7 lead, then took points on seven of eight rallies to extend the lead to 20-10. Â The Tritons managed to stave off set point three times before a block assist ended the set and put the Spartans up 2-0.
Tampa then used an early run of five consecutive points in the third set for an 8-3 lead and maintained control the rest of the way to complete the straight-sets win and the season sweep of Eckerd.
No player from either team reached double digits in kills. Â
Kali Boatwright led Eckerd with six while
JaQuayla Baker had five. Â
Gabriella Reis had 16 assists and
Kaitlyn Sibson led the back row with 11 digs.
Saint Leo, which defeated Florida Southern in tonight's conference action, moves into sole possession of first place in the SSC with Tampa, Eckerd and Florida Southern all one game behind.
The Tritons return home this weekend to host Nova Southeastern at 7:00 PM on Friday and No. 12 Palm Beach Atlantic at 4:00 PM on Saturday.
