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TAMPA - It may seem longer, but it has been only two years.
That's how long it's been since the University of Tampa softball team has been to the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans cemented their appearance in this year's tourney with solid play earlier but got the official word Monday. UT (31-12) will compete as the fourth seed in the South Region, being played at top-seeded Florida Southern in Lakeland beginning Thursday. Alabama-Huntsville is No. 2, followed by Rollins (No. 3), West Florida (No. 5) and Benedict (No. 6).
The Spartans, making their third overall trip to the postseason, open with a noon game against West Florida (36-18). UT defeated UWF 6-2 in February in their lone meeting. The other first-round matchup is Rollins (40-14) against Benedict (28-11). The winner faces Alabama-Huntsville (44-9).
A UT victory would set up a meeting with SSC rival Florida Southern (48-5) later that same day; a loss sends the Spartans to the losers bracket Friday. In its previous NCAA appearances, UT went 2-2 in 2002 and 0-2 in 2001.
MORE SOFTBALL: Freshman Devlin Dougherty will try to open the postseason in the same fashion she closed the regular season.Dougherty threw two complete-game shutouts to pick up wins over Lynn, receiving SSC Pitcher of the Week recognition. In 152/3 innings, she allowed 12 hits, two walks and no runs, striking out 15. She extended her school single-season strikeout record to 187. She also helped her own cause at the plate, going 4-for-7 in the series with her first career triple.
Dougherty finished her freshman regular season 16-8.
BASEBALL: After batting .600 and guiding the No. 5 Spartans to three wins in four games last week, senior infielder Erick Monzon was named Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week. Monzon batted safely in all four games and produced a pair of two-hit performances and a four-hit outing in a league series against Lynn. Monzon recorded three doubles, three RBIs, seven runs scored and three walks, slugging .800 and not striking out in 18 plate appearances.
MEN'S GOLF: Brian Ward has been selected for the All-Sunshine State Conference team. The junior was the Spartans' top golfer during the 2003-2004 season, averaging a 74 during his 19 competitive rounds. Ward placed sixth in the league tournament, shooting a 10-over par 226 (77-73-76) on the Doral Golf and Country Club course in Miami. He helped UT to a sixth-place finish.
VOLLEYBALL: The Spartans have signed three prep players to scholarships: Sara Ellis, Danielle Bist and Katelen Dixon. Ellis, a 5-foot-8 setter from Gainesville's Bucholz High, will be competing to replace All-American setter Gretchen Natura, whom will graduate in May. Ellis plays for former UT assistant coach Jeff Reavis on the Gainesville Juniors top 18s team.
Bist is from Leon in Tallahassee. She is a 6-foot hitter and expected to compete as a middle hitter. Bist plays for the TVA club.
An early signee also was announced as Katelen Dixon of Mitchell in Pasco County signed in November. She is projected to compete for a starting position as freshmen. She is a member of the Tampa Bay Juniors top 19-and-under squad.