Spartan shorts

By ROD GIPSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 15, 2000

TAMPA -- Freshman outside hitter Anna Ruiz has impressed coaches and teammates since arriving. Now she's starting to gain more recognition.

After averaging 5.5 kills and an attack percentage of .369 in four matches, Ruiz was named Sunshine State Conference Volleyball Player of the Week.

Ruiz, from Arroyo, Puerto Rico, is the first freshman to win the award this season. Ruiz leads the team with 137 kills, and her attack percentage of .325 ranks second for the Spartans. Ruiz's play has been key in the 7-1 start for the sixth-ranked Spartans, who are in California this weekend facing No. 25 Cal State-San Bernadino and Cal State-Dominguez Hills. UT has a six-match winning streak after beating Lewis University, South Carolina-Spartanburg and No. 26 Armstrong Atlantic last week.

UT returns to open Sunshine State Conference play Sept. 22 against Florida Southern at the Bob Martinez Sports Center.

MEN'S SOCCER: UT opened conference play Wednesday with a 2-1 overtime win at Florida Southern that was cemented when Ryan Godfrey gathered a deflected Kareem Escayg shot and booted it back for a goal and the win.

The Spartans, 4-1 (1-0), currently are sporting a No. 4 regional ranking by the National Soccer Coaches Athletic Association, which could be a prelude to a national ranking.

Playing at the Buccaneer Classic in Miami Shores last weekend, UT beat the defending Division II national champions and current No. 7 Southern Connecticut State 2-0. The Spartans also topped No. 19 Seattle Pacific 3-0.

"Our players put forth some of the best performances of their soccer careers," UT coach Keith Fulk said. "Those two games were the best two games I've seen in my career as a coach." The Spartans are in Pensacola this weekend facing Montevallo (Ala.) today and host West Florida on Sunday. UT hosts No. 1 Barry on Wednesday.

CROSS COUNTRY: The Spartans ran at the Nike Twi-Light Invitational at the University of North Florida last week, with the men and women each placing fifth among the six men's squads and seven women's team. Tracy Buxton placed seventh out of 58 runners. Both squads will run at the Rollins College meet Saturday.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright