TAMPA, FL – The Emmanuel Women's Volleyball team continued tournament play today against the #10 ranked, University of Tampa Spartans. The match up was a competitive one, with both teams making key plays, but the home team Spartans came out on top, 25-15, 25-12, 25-16. With the loss, the Lions fall to 0-2 on the season.

The two teams went back and forth to start the first set, with kills by Ellie Jackson and keeping the set knotted at 4-4. The Spartans answered with a 5-0 run to jump ahead 9-4. Midway through the set, the Spartans led 16-10, but kills by Brianna Bigelow, Skye Graham and Natalie Wilson kept the Lions in striking distance, cutting Tampa's lead to 19-14.The Spartans finished the set strong to take it 25-16. 

The second set started with the Lions taking an early 4-1 lead with kills by Brooke Lee and Cailin Pritchard. The Spartans tied things up at 4, but the Lions responded well with kills by Jackson and Bigelow to make it 8-5, Lions. A 10-1 run by the Spartans gave Tampa a 15-10 lead midway through the set and they continued to make plays, expanding their lead to 20-11. Tampa would take the 2^nd set, 25-12. 

The Spartans carried their momentum into the 3^rd set, starting off on a 8-0 run. The Lions responded, cutting the lead to 20-13 midway through the set but Tampa finished strong to take the set, 25-16 and the game 3-0. 

Overall, the Lions had 25 kills, 1 block, 25 assists, and 30 digs.

Ellie Jackson led the way with 6 kills on the afternoon, with Cailin Pritchard adding 5. Brianna Bigelow had the Lions sole block in the matchup, with Marusa Pesut adding 23 assists. Pesut led the Lions with 9 digs, while Asia Queen contributed 7.

Next up, the Lions will face Lander University at 5:15PM to finish off tournament play.

For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.