TAMPA - After the best season in program history, the Tampa women's soccer team just got better. National signing day yielded six players for the Spartans, including the Texas player of the year, Katie Callahan from Houston.
Callahan is joined by Shannon Aitken from Land O'Lakes, Nicole Murphy of Lafayette, La., Alicia Wyman of Houston and two from Palm Harbor, Colleen Sweeney and Sarah Stack.
Callahan, an outside midfielder, played for the Texas Premier Team after her season with her high school squad.
"Katie is a very technical player with deceptive speed," UT coach Bobby Johnston said. "She loves to be involved in the attack. We are looking for her to contribute as an outside midfielder."
Aitken, a goalkeeper, helped lead Land O'Lakes to the 2003 state title and plays club soccer for the Hillsborough County United U-18. Murphy, who can play midfield or defense, was on the 2003 Louisiana all-state high school team.
Sweeney, also can play midfield and defense, Stack plays midfield and Wyman defense. UT went 16-6 last season and made its first NCAA Tournament appearance.
BASEBALL: After opening with seven wins in 10 games, UT slipped from No. 1 to No. 5 in the Collegiate Baseball Division II poll. Still, the Spartans have received standout play from centerfielder Roberto Valiente, shortstop Erick Monzon and catcher Billy Wimberly. The trio, the only Spartans to start each of the first 10 games, has combined for 30 hits, seven doubles, four home runs and 17 RBI.
Also, senior outfielder JP Castro hit .500 with two triples, one home run, three RBIs, four runs and two steals as UT went 2-1 in its past three. Castro opened the week by going 4-for-4 in an 11-9 win over Rollins. He matched a UT record with two triples in one game. Castro also homered and drove in two in a 12-2 win over Lynn.
Senior right-handed pitcher Casey McKenzie is 3-0 with a 2.37 ERA and 25 strikeouts. UT has a three-game series at Valdosta State this weekend before opening SSC play Feb. 27 at home against Florida Tech.
MEN'S BASKETBALL: After ending its recent four-game slide with back-to-back wins, UT slipped again, falling 69-57 at Rollins on Valentine's Day. UT was led by James Mereus, who had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Earnest Williams, who scored 13. The Spartans (14-10, 5-6) are sixth in the SSC but two games out of third with three SSC games left. UT hosts Florida Tech on Wednesday before finishing the regular season at Lynn Saturday and at home Feb. 25 against Florida Southern.
SOFTBALL: Senior second baseman Lacinda Norman led the Spartans to two opening wins against Florida Tech, her best performance coming in the first game of the three-game series. Norman went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs. Freshman Devlin Dougherty won both of her starts, striking out eight and allowing six hits and no walks in 14 innings. The Spartans (2-1) host Saint Leo in a three-game series this weekend.
