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Volleyball team holds onto first

TAMPA -- With its 14-match winning streak intact, including a key region win against North Florida, the University of Tampa volleyball team is in the driver's seat in the Sunshine State Conference race as well as in the NCAA Division II South Region.

The Spartans went a long way toward cementing another South Region tournament at the Bob Martinez Sports Center by defeating the Ospreys 3-2 on Oct. 29.

The team swept Florida Tech and Rollins on the road last week, but it was the North Florida match that provided the most drama.

In Game 1, the Spartans posted 18 kills and only gave up 16, but UT made eight errors as the Ospreys won 22-30.

In Game 2, the Spartans won 30-21 as Ania Ruiz recorded five kills and Amber Langston four. The defense was strong as Kristen Richardson, Tiffany Boatwright and Ericka Womack recorded blocks.

The teams traded wins in Games 3 and 4 with North Florida winning 30-28 and UT winning 30-22. In the final game, UT pulled away with a 15-9 victory.

The win improves the Spartans to 20-6 overall, 9-0 in the SSC. More important, they are in first place in the South Region and would host the tournament if they maintain that position for another week. UT hosts Lynn today before hosting second-place Barry at 4 p.m. Saturday. A Barry win would end UT's winning streak, avenge its lone conference loss and possibly help the Buccaneers secure the top spot in the region. UT ends its season with road matches at Eckerd and Florida Southern and a home contest against Saint Leo.

The NCAA Division II South Region tournament begins Nov. 21.

CROSS COUNTRY: Elias Gonzales has been named the Sunshine State Conference male athlete of the month for October. Last week, the junior from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was named the conference's male runner of the year.

Gonzales dominated league competition and posted a first-place time of 25 minutes, 40 seconds in the SSC Championships, which was 31 seconds faster than second-place finisher and teammate Dirk Bockel.

In October, Gonzales won the University of Tampa Invitational in a course-record 20:52.38. He was also the conference's top finisher at the University of Florida (13th) and Disney (third) invitationals, racing against Division-I and top Division-II competition.

"Elias is way out in front," Spartans coach Jarrett Slaven said. "He hardly breaks a sweat. He's been a great leader who also helps the rest of the team improve each week."

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Soccer player Jade Berbert and volleyball player Amber Langston earned SSC player of the week honors. Berbert, a freshman goalkeeper, posted back-to-back shutouts in 2-0 victories against Eckerd and Florida Southern. Berbert had seven saves in the wins.

Langston, a freshman hitter, helped the Spartans to three wins. Langston posted a team-best 22 kills against North Florida and had 13 and 14 in wins at Florida Tech and Rollins. For the week, Langston averaged 4.5 kills, 1.18 digs, 0.36 service aces, 0.18 blocks and a .379 hitting percentage.

SOCCER: The UT men end a disappointing season Saturday at home against Rollins. Graduation and a lack of depth caused the defending Division II national champions' slide to 5-9-2 and 3-2-1 in the SSC.

The women ended a strong season last week with a 3-2 win against Saint Leo. The Spartans finished 8-8-2 overall and 7-3-2 in the SSC, good enough for second place. The team was ranked seventh in the South Region, three spots out of a postseason bid.

BASKETBALL: The men's and women's teams tip off their seasons Nov. 22. The women open against Columbus State in Columbus, Ga., and begin their home schedule three days later against Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras.

The men open at home Nov. 22 against Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. It's the first of six straight home games and 11 of 13 at the Bob Martinez Sports Center.

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