Box Score The Moccasins battled fourth-ranked Tampa back and forth through the first set before Tampa prevailed and then the Spartans took the next two sets to top the Moccasins, 27-25, 25-17, 25-14, in their Sunshine State Conference match at Jenkins Field House Saturday night.
The biggest margin either team had in the first set was three points. There were 14 ties and nine lead changes in the set. The Moccasins were up 24-22, but saw Tampa take a 25-24 lead. Anne Pietkiewicz delivered a kill to pull the Mocs even at 25-25 before the Spartans scored the final two points on a kill and a block. In contrast, the lead changed hands just three times in the second set and Tampa led the entire third set.
In winning their 11th straight match, the Spartans improved their first-place SSC record to 10-1 and their overall mark to 21-3. The Moccasins dropped to 18-7 overall, 8-4 in the SSC.
The Moccasins were led by Ashley Martin's seven kills, but hit just .117 for the match. Lauren Huber, Diana Castrillon and Pietkiewicz each had six kills.
Melissa Vanderhall led Tampa with 11 kills, while Danielle Selkridge added 10 kills and five blocks, as the Spartans hit .291 for the match.
The Moccasins play their next two matches on the road - Friday night at Nova Southeastern and Saturday afternoon at Barry.
