The University of Tampa women’s volleyball team defeated Eckerd College 3-1 on Tuesday at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center in Tampa, Fla. Tampa won the Sunshine State Conference match by set scores of 28-26, 25-23, 17-25 and 25-21. The Spartans improved to 25-2 overall and 17-1 in conference play in their final regular-season home match.
Connor Rahn led Tampa with 15 kills on 49 attacks and added 13 digs. Ainhoa Molleja contributed 10 kills, nine digs and two service aces, while Camden Rahn posted nine kills, four digs, one service ace and four total blocks. Madison Sofarelli added eight kills on 11 attacks without an error and recorded a .727 hitting percentage.
Tampa wins two tight opening sets
Tampa edged Eckerd 28-26 in the opening set after the teams battled through an extended frame. The Spartans then earned a 25-23 victory in the second set to take a 2-0 lead. Eckerd’s Hayden Nash, Jaelynn Tunley and Kaitlyn Dohs helped keep the Tritons within reach during the first two sets.
Eckerd responded with a 25-17 win in the third set. Nash finished with 12 kills, five solo blocks and two block assists, while Tunley added 10 kills and Dohs recorded eight kills and three total blocks. Eckerd finished with 11 blocks to Tampa’s five.
Tampa regained control in the fourth set and closed the match with a 25-21 victory. The Spartans had four players reach at least eight kills, led by Connor Rahn’s 15. Tampa’s balanced attack helped the team finish the home portion of its regular-season schedule with a four-set win.
Spartans hold statistical edge in key areas
Jenna Glaudel led Tampa with 25 assists, 17 digs, three service aces and one kill. Kayla Dondero added 17 assists, 11 digs and one service ace, giving the two setters 42 assists combined. Ana Rivera anchored the back row with 20 digs and added seven assists.
Tampa finished with 55 kills, 52 assists and 88 digs. Eckerd recorded 45 kills, 36 assists and 87 digs, while both teams finished with eight service aces. The Tritons held the hitting-percentage advantage at .181 to Tampa’s .162.
Mak Carter contributed six kills on 22 attacks, four digs and three block assists for Tampa. Connor Rahn’s 13 digs ranked second for the Spartans behind Rivera. The defensive effort allowed Tampa to finish with one more dig than Eckerd despite the Tritons’ blocking advantage.
FSB Take
Tampa’s victory preserved its 17-1 Sunshine State Conference record and completed its regular-season home schedule at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center. Connor Rahn led the offense, while Rivera and Glaudel provided the team’s top defensive totals. The Spartans next travel to Lynn for a conference match on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.
Source: Original report