Tampa, Fla. – Sixth-ranked University of Tampa posted a 30-20, 30-25, 30-28 victory over Francis Marion University, Friday evening (Nov. 18) in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division II South Regional Volleyball Tournament.
 
The Spartans improve to 26-3 and move onto Saturday's regional semifinals.  Francis Marion, which saw its nine-match winning streak snapped, concludes its season with a 29-11 mark.
 
Tampa was led by Kayla Mora, who recorded a team high 14 kills. Margeaux Sinibaldi had 15 digs to lead Tampa’s defense and South Region Player of the Year Ericka Womack had nine kills to go with a team high two blocks. Gabriela Saade had 32 assists for Tampa.
 
Francis Marion was led by junior Lezlie Logan with nine kills. Junior libero Jessica Strader had 20 digs, her 17th match this season with 20 or more digs tying the school and Peach Belt Conference single-season record.  FMU freshman setter Jenna Kaiser handed out 23 assists. 
 
"I was very proud of the team's effort, we played very hard, and gave them everything that we could.  They're just a very good team.", said FMU head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick.  "I hope we can learn from this experience, especially the non-seniors, and that we can make a return trip to the NCAAs next season."
 
Tampa advances to the NCAA South Region semifinals where they will face defending NCAA champion Barry tomorrow at 7:30 pm.
 
Short Box Score (Match)
2005 University of Tampa Volleyball
Francis Marion vs #6 Tampa (11/18/05 at Tampa, Fla.)

Tampa def. Francis Marion 30-20,30-25,30-28

Francis Marion (29-11) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Logan, Lezlie 9-0-0;  Bartlett, Jessica 6-0-2; Settergren, Michelle 4-0-2; Feber, Kelly  3-0-2; Phiel, Jackie 2-1-0; Lombardi, Jessica 1-0-0; Matthews, Rachael  0-1-0; Kaiser, Jenna 0-0-1; Strader, Jessica 0-1-0; Totals 25-3-5.0.  (Assists) - Kaiser, Jenna 23. (Dig leaders) - Strader, Jessica 20;  Feber, Kelly 8

Tampa (26-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Kayla Mora 14-0-1; Katelen Dixon  12-2-1; Stephanie Rivera 12-2-1; Ericka Womack 9-0-2; Tarah Marinelli  3-0-1; Gabriela Saade 2-4-1; Camila Saade 2-0-0; Erin Clark 1-0-1;  Margeaux Sinibaldi 0-2-0; Totals 55-10-6.0. (Assists) - Gabriela Saade  32; Sara Ellis 10. (Dig leaders) - Margeaux Sinibaldi 15; Stephanie  Rivera 12; Kayla Mora 8; Katelen Dixon 8

 Site: Tampa, Fla. (Martinez Sports Ctr.)  Date: 11/18/05       Attend: 334   Time: 1:31 Referees: James Phillips, Keith Murlless NCAA South Region Quarter Final.