MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The Barry University volleyball team (11-20, 3-12 SSC) put on a exhilarating display against the third-ranked Tampa Spartans but ended up falling 3-1 in Sunshine State Conference action at the Health & Sports Center on Friday night. The Buccaneers won the first game 30-28, but dropped the final three 30-19, 30-27 and 30-24.
The #3 Spartans (27-2, 14-1 SSC) jumped out to a 15-10 lead over the Bucs in game one. However, Barry mustered up a comeback and tied the set at 22-22. Danielle McDonald sparked a run to put Tampa back in the lead 26-23, but Barry went on a 7-2 run to close out the first game with a 30-28 win.
Tampa roared out of the break and held Barry to only seven kills in game two for a convincing 30-19 win to even the match at one game apiece. But the Bucs would simply not quit.
In game three, Barry was down 8-2 early, but managed to chip at the Spartan lead until coming to within two points, 22-20, before Tampa took the 2-1 advantage, 30-27. The Buccaneers led from the beginning of game four until the Spartans came back to tie the set at 21. With the scored tied, they closed out the match with a 9-3 run and a 30-24 win to end the match.
The SSC’s top two liberos went head-to-head as well. Barry’s Lauren Evan’s, who lead the conference with 5.36 digs per game collected a team-high 20 digs, while Margeaux Sinibaldi, who is second in the conference with 4.92 per game finished with a match-high 26.
Barry was once again without the league’s kill leader Camilla Pagnan, but Stefanie Sveiven picked up the slack and recorded 13 kills and hit .300 to pace the Buccaneer efforts. Samara Ferreira and Caitlin Shawver each added nine, while Julie Priester added 10 digs. Maria Romanowski recorded her 10th double-double this season with 42 assists and 10 digs, while Spenser Rigg contributed 13 digs.
Four Spartans were in double-digit kills led by Erin Clark’s 19 on a .438 clip. Katelen Dixon added 11 kills and 16 digs for the double-double while added four solo blocks. Alisha Green and Annalea Warren added 13 and 10 kills respectively.
The Buccaneers will conclude their 2007 season on Saturday, Nov. 10 against the Spartans. It will also be senior day as the Bucs will recognize their lone senior Maria Romanowski at 4 pm.
Tampa def. Barry 28-30, 30-19, 30-27, 30-24
Tampa (27-2, 14-1 SSC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Erin Clark 19-2-4; Alisha Green 13-0-3; Katelen Dixon 11-2-4; Annalea Warren 10-0-2; Ana Kalisnik 8-0-3; Meghan Sherman 5-0-1; Danielle MacDonald 2-0-0; Melissa Vanderhall 1-1-0; Margeaux Sinibaldi 0-1-0; Kaleigh Cunningham 0-2-0; Totals 69-8-13.0. (Assists) - Meghan Sherman 41; Gabriela Saade 13. (Dig leaders) - Margeaux Sinibaldi 26; Katelen Dixon 16; Ana Kalisnik 8; Meghan Sherman 8
Barry (11-20, 3-12 SSC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Stefanie Sveiven 13-0-1; Samara Ferreira 9-1-3; Caitlin Shawver 9-1-1; Spenser Rigg 7-0-0; Meisje-Sable Burton 7-1-3; Maria Romanowski 5-3-1; Totals 50-6-5.0. (Assists) - Maria Romanowski 42. (Dig leaders) - Lauren Evans 20; Spenser Rigg 13; Maria Romanowski 10; Julie Priester 10
Site: Miami Shores, Fla. (Health & Sports Center)
Date: 11/09/2007 Attend: 219 Time: 2:10
Referees: Donna Carter, Jim Fales
Photo Gallery (By Scott Moore: SPM FL Photographer: November 10, 2007)