Panthers Battle, Come Up Short at No. 1 Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. – (Volleyball) Florida Tech volleyball played a great game at No. 1 Tampa Friday night, but fell short three games to one. Tech had an
impressive showing, breaking a four game streak of Tampa shutting out its opponents.

Leading the way for Tech was Frankie Brown with 15 kills and Aurora Jover with 23 assists. Marcela
Vasconcelos and Amy O’Brien tallied 13 digs each while Sacha Gumbs and Whitney Roberts added
three blocks a piece.

Top play makers for the Spartans included Erin Clark with 26 kills, Gabriela Saade with 65 assists and Margeaux Sinibaldi with 15 digs. Clark added four
blocks as well as Alisha Green.

The Panthers started out strong in game one scoring the first two points. Tampa took the lead back after a few attack errors making the score 9-4. 
The Spartans maintained control of the game despite the Panthers fight. Tech over-passes late in the game extended their deficit 13-25 as they took their
first time out. The Panthers scored five more points before Tampa took the game 18-30 out hitting Tech .606 to .185. Game two found the Panthers in a two
point hole, but they quickly bounced back. Tech was really on top of their defense keeping it a two point game into the 20s. Tampa made a five point run
forcing a Panther time out at 22-27. Tech scored one more time, but Tampa took game 30-23 despite a stellar performance by the Panthers. Tech returned to
game three with a vengeance scoring three unanswered points before Tampa began to fight back. The Panthers stayed strong and maintained the lead through
two ties in the beginning before the Spartans took the lead at nine. Tech regained the lead at 10 forcing a Tampa time out. The game remained intense
through multiple ties and lead changes. Tampa made a five point run, but Tech got right back in to make it a three point game. The Panthers tied the game
at 24 and again at 25 to keep their momentum and took the lead at 26. The Panthers stayed fierce through extra points and won 32-30 forcing a fourth game.

Tech got off to a slow start in game four trailing 2-9 when they took their first time out. They came out focused scoring a six to one run forcing a Tampa
time out. Tech capitalized on Spartan attack errors to take the lead, but Tampa had a seven point run and Tech took their last time out at 12-17. The
Panthers still had some fight in them, but in the end Tampa took the game 30-19.

The Panthers will continue conference play Saturday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. as they battle the Tritons at Eckerd.