TAMPA, Fla. — The No. 1-ranked Tampa volleyball maintained its perfect record with a straight-set victory over the Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team on Saturday at Bob Martinez Athletics Center, winning 25-20, 25-18, 25-15.

PBA recorded 36 kills in the match, but the Spartans' efficiency, hitting .379, proved decisive. The Sailfish were held to a .186 hitting percentage as a team. PBA recorded 17 attacking errors despite only five blocks by the Spartans.

Grace Reynolds led the team with 24 assists and added eight digs, facilitating play effectively. Kaley Board contributed with eight kills and seven digs, and also scored a service ace. Sydney Corbett added to the offensive effort with seven kills and collected three digs. Nae Jordan was efficient, posting five kills with a .444 hitting percentage and securing one block assist. Maggie Patterson led the 'Fish with 10 digs as libero.

"Tough match today at Tampa," PBA head coach Jeff Huebner said. "We started really tough with serve and pass and then had some opportunities with the block and dig that we just couldn't push over the line. I thought Nae hit well for us and it was good to see Rachel [Smith] come in and play well as well. Big home match Monday against Barry! Looking forward to seeing EVERYONE in Rubin!"

The Sailfish opened the first set by taking a quick 3-0 lead, aided by a service error from the Spartans and a kill by Kelsey Rogers, assisted by Reynolds. The team maintained a narrow advantage through effective plays by Corbett and Jordan, each contributing crucial kills. However, UTampa managed to catch up and eventually surpassed the 'Fish, despite Reynolds' efforts with multiple assists and a kill. The set concluded with Tampa edging out the Sailfish 25-20.

PBA managed to keep pace early in the second set, with Board and Rogers each securing kills that kept the score tied at multiple points. Despite strong efforts, including a block by Harper Stokes and Jordan, the Sailfish struggled to maintain momentum against the Spartans' consistent attacks. Reynolds played a pivotal role, assisting multiple kills, including those by Jordan and Corbett, helping to narrow the deficit. However, a series of attack errors allowed UTampa to pull away, eventually closing the set with a score of 25-18 in favor of the Spartans.

The 'Fish began the third set with a kill by Board, assisted by Reynolds, to take an early lead. Rogers added two more kills, also with assists from Reynolds, but service errors hindered their momentum. Despite a service ace by Board leveling the score at 4-4, the Spartans responded with a series of service aces and kills, creating a significant gap. In the latter part of the set, the Sailfish struggled to close the deficit, though Brighten Sedmack and Rachel Smith each contributed a kill. A service ace by Sedmack brought the score closer, but the 'Fish ultimately fell short. The set concluded with UTampa securing a 25-15 victory, ending the match.

PBA is back in Rubin Arena on Tuesday with another ranked matchup against Barry. The match is set to start at 6 p.m.