TAMPA, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic University volleyball team entered hostile territory on Tuesday evening by traveling across the state to take on undefeated and No. 2-ranked University of Tampa as the Sailfish battled their toughest opponent thus far this season. Although they would give the Spartans a solid test, it would be the home-standing team in Red and Black that would come out on top as UT earned a 3-0 sweep of the Sailfish.

The Sailfish lost for only the second time on the season as they came up short in just their second-ever meeting against the Spartans. Having been ranked within the top-10 of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll every week since 1996, the Spartans improved to 14-0 on the season with the three set victories.

The Sailfish (12-2) nearly stole the early momentum in the contest as they led 20-18 in the first set and then against at 22-21 as each team jockeyed for the lead in the opener. Despite their late deficit the mighty Spartans would step as they closed out the set with four straight points including back-to-back kills from Meagan Burke and Holly Reschke to close out the win.

Now blessed with a lead and their home crowd behind them the Spartans wouldn’t look back as they earned a 25-16 win in set number two and a 25-15 victory in the third and final set.

Helping aide the strong first set for PBA was senior Lanae Robinson who tallied a team-high six kills in the first game while PBA connected for a team hitting percentage of .243 to open the match. The Sailfish middle-blocker would take advantage of the opportunities that came her way as she posted six kills in only nine attacks.

Junior Mariela Quesada, who entered the match averaging over four kills per set for the Fish, finished with a team-high 10 kills in the match but was limited to a .088 hitting percentage including seven errors. Robinson added eight kills (.300 hitting percentage) while junior Lisa Jedlicka chipped in a solid night of seven kills and a team-best .429 hitting percentage.

Freshman Becca Acevedo added 26 assists in the loss while Melissa McPeek and Jessie Kubiak led the way defensively with nine and eight digs respectively.

On the Spartans side they would use a balanced attack with Reschke finishing with 10 kills on just 16 attacks while Eva Dupay and Danielle Selkridge each registered nine kills. Kahley Patrick and Sloane Baby split the setting duties with 20 and 15 assists respectively while Julie Howlett played effective back-row defense as the UT libero and posted a match-high 15 digs.

The Sailfish will have off until Friday, October 7th when they begin hosting the annual Pepsi Bash at the Beach Tournament. The Sailfish will begin play in the Mahoney Gym at 3 pm on Friday against Shepherd University before taking on Seton Hill University at 7 pm in the Rubin Arena. A live broadcast will be available only during the 7 pm match.