WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – For the first time ever the University of Tampa volleyball team made a trip to Rubin Arena on the campus of Palm Beach Atlantic, and it won’t be a trip they’ll want to remember as the No. 14 Sailfish swept the No. 5 Spartans 26-24, 25-23, 25-14 to earn their 13th consecutive victory of the season and their first-ever victory over Tampa.

The ‘Fish (23-3) and Spartans (21-5) played before a capacity crowd on Friday night as the PBA seniors – Alexandra Roberts, Stephany Brown, Rachael Holehouse and Faith Rohn – were honored in their home finale before the match.

In the first set the Sailfish started off hot, jumping out to a 5-1 lead the forced Tampa to call a quick timeout. Three attack errors including two blocks from the duo of Emma Ballantyne and Faith Rohn set the stage early on. Ballantyne recorded her only three blocks on the night in the opening frame.

Tampa battled back out of a 22-18 hole in the first set, winning five of six to seven the score at 23-23. Faith Rohn’s sixth kill of the set gave the ‘Fish a temporary lead before Tampa tied it back at 24-24. Faith’s freshman sister Ally Rohn knocked home her fourth kill of the set moments later as the ‘Fish grabbed their second set point. Sarah Ragland drove home her fourth kill of the set as Ally picked up her 10th assist in the set, lifting the ‘Fish to the set victory.

The Sailfish hit .261 in the set as Tampa was held to a .196 clip. PBA collected 18 of their 46 kills in the set while Tampa countered with 15. Jessica Wagner had eight kills in the set but was held to just five more the rest of the match.

The second set was back-and-forth throughout with neither side able to go on an extended run. The score was tied eight times in the set with Tampa securing the advantage most of the way. The Spartans’ largest lead came at 12-9 midway through the set but late in the set it became the Sarah Ragland show.

The sophomore was in on all four Sailfish points in the longest run of the set – 4-0 – as the ‘Fish overcame a 20-18 deficit to take a 22-20 lead. Her only two kills in the set bookended the run with a pair of block assists – one with Abby Palkert and one with Stephany Brown – providing the ‘Fish with the lead for good. She had four of her five blocks in the set with Emma Ballantyne producing five kills in the frame.

After the intermission it was all Sailfish as the home side ran away with the final set. The ‘Fish scored 13 of the final 16 points including the final four. PBA hit .355 in the final set with 14 kills, led by Faith Rohn’s four.

Rohn led the ‘Fish with 13 kills in the match, hitting .242 with 16 digs. The senior has produced six-straight double-doubles and now has 13 on the season. Emma Ballantyne finished with 12 kills of her own, hitting a whopping .500 for the match. Ally Rohn added eight kills and Ragland chipped in with seven. Abby Palkert added four without an error on the night.

The defense gave the team a chance all night long with Holehouse leading the way. The senior led all players with 18 digs on the night and was aided by Faith Rohn’s 16 and Susie Forbes’ 12 digs. Ally Rohn and Alexandra Roberts each added six digs as Roberts contributed 16 assists as well. The team dug up 63 balls on the night and held an offense that came in hitting .283 to just a .153 attack on the night.

The ‘Fish will be off until Friday, Nov. 13 when they travel to Rollins College for a 7 p.m. first serve.