TAMPA, Fla.– The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team faced a tough matchup in the form of the defending national champions, Tampa on Friday night. 
 
PBA (13-11, 5-8 Sunshine State Conference) was competitive in the match, but ultimately could not win a set against the Spartans. Tampa (18-6, 11-2 SSC) swept the Sailfish 3-0, outhitting the 'Fish .277-.082. 
 
With the Sailfish short-handed due to injuries, PBA took a while to get into a rhythm. The 'Fish hit just .103 as the Spartans led the entire first set. Tampa took a 1-0 lead after winning the first set 25-15.
 
The second set was more competitive as PBA's hitting percentage began to improve. A 7-1 run that included kills from Ally Smith and Caroline Swan gave the Sailfish a 10-6 lead early in the set. PBA attempted to hold off the Spartans, but a 5-1 run by Tampa gave the Spartans a 19-17 advantage. The hosts closed the set with a 6-2 run, taking the set 25-20.
 
Tampa got off to an early 10-6 lead in the third set, but PBA battled back with a 4-0 run thanks to kills from Jordan Rush and Schmidt. Unfortunately for the Sailfish, the Spartans regained control, taking a 20-16 lead. The Sailfish cut the deficit to one, but Tampa closed the set on a 5-0 run to win the set 25-19 and complete the sweep.
 
Schmidt led the Sailfish with seven kills; she also added 10 assists and eight digs to the PBA cause. Smith finished with a career-high six kills and eight digs. Lilly Turner led the Sailfish with a team-high nine digs and Emma Pieper had a team-high 12 assists.
 
The Sailfish will conclude their road trip tomorrow against Saint Leo. The match in St. Leo, Fla. takes place at 4 p.m.