Lynn University

TAMPA, Fla. - No. 10 Lynn volleyball saw its eight-match winning streak come to an end Saturday afternoon, falling to Sunshine State Conference leader Tampa in straight sets, 23-25, 15-25, 14-25, inside the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.
 
The Fighting Knights battled the Spartans in a thrilling opening set, building a four-point advantage midway through the frame before a Tampa challenge overturned set point to steal a narrow 25-23 victory. Lynn fought to regain momentum over the final two sets, but the Spartans' offensive efficiency and presence at the net ultimately proved too much to overcome.
 
Lira Pukl Verdel led the Fighting Knights with nine kills and two service aces, while Alexia Radulovic added seven kills on .316 hitting. Audrey Shaw contributed five kills on an efficient .571 hitting percentage.
 
The setback moves Lynn to 17-3 overall and 9-2 in SSC play, while Tampa improves to 19-1 overall and remains unbeaten in conference action at 11-0.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Set One: Tampa 25, Lynn 23
- Tampa opened the match with consecutive points, but Lynn quickly responded behind back-to-back kills from Audrey Shaw to even the score at 2-2
- The teams traded blows through the early stages as Radulovic delivered two kills to keep the Fighting Knights within striking distance
- With the score tied at 13-13, Lynn erupted for a four-point run behind kills from Rendic, Gorjup and Neill, along with a Voorhees service ace, to seize a 17-13 advantage
- The Spartans responded with four consecutive points to even the score at 17-17, but Neill and Pukl Verdel delivered back-to-back kills to put Lynn ahead 19-17
- Tampa answered with a three-point run to move in front 20-19 before Pukl Verdel hammered home a kill to tie the frame at 20-20
- Trailing 22-20, the Fighting Knights refused to go away as Shaw delivered a crucial kill before Radulovic followed with consecutive kills to give Lynn a 23-22 advantage
- The Spartans answered with a kill to tie the set at 23-23 before consecutive Lynn attacking errors allowed Tampa to escape with a 25-23 victory
- Lynn recorded 16 kills in the opening frame, with Radulovic leading the charge with five
 
Set Two: Tampa 25, Lynn 15
- Lynn opened the second set with a point following a Tampa attacking error, but the Spartans responded with three consecutive points to establish an early advantage
- Radulovic delivered a kill to cut the deficit to 3-2 before Tampa used another three-point run to stretch its lead to 6-2
- The Fighting Knights attempted to chip away as Pukl Verdel delivered kills to make it 10-6 and 11-7, but Tampa continued to answer
- Trailing 14-7, Pukl Verdel recorded another kill before Radulovic and Rendic helped Lynn remain within striking distance
- The Spartans maintained control through the middle stages, extending their advantage to 20-11
- Lynn continued battling as Pukl Verdel, Shaw and Rendic delivered late kills, but Tampa closed out the frame with a 25-15 victory
- The Fighting Knights recorded nine kills in the set, while the Spartans hit .400 with 12 kills and just two errors
 
Set Three: Tampa 25, Lynn 14
- With their backs against the wall, the Fighting Knights came out aggressively as Shaw opened the third set with a kill before Gorjup followed with a service ace to give Lynn an early 2-0 lead
- Tampa responded with four consecutive points, but Pukl Verdel delivered a solo block and a service ace to pull Lynn even at 4-4
- The Spartans regained a 6-4 advantage before Rendic answered with a kill to cut the deficit to one
- With Tampa leading 8-7, Pukl Verdel hammered home another kill to tie the frame at 8-8
- The Spartans began to pull away, using a three-point run to build an 11-8 advantage before extending the lead to 16-9 behind five consecutive points
- Pukl Verdel halted the run with a kill, but Tampa continued to apply pressure, eventually pushing its advantage to 22-12
- Lynn fought to extend the match, but the Spartans closed out the final frame, 25-14, to secure the three-set victory
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS:
- Pukl Verdel led Lynn with nine kills, two service aces, six digs and a solo block, finishing with a team-high 12 points
- Radulovic recorded seven kills on .316 hitting, committing just one error on 19 attempts.
- Shaw delivered five kills with just one error on seven swings for an impressive .571 hitting percentage, while adding a block assist
- Neill added three kills, while Gorjup recorded one kill and a block assist
- Gorjup directed the offense with 20 assists, two digs and a service ace
- Clara Maidantchik collected five digs and an assist, while Ivy Westfall and Ella Voorhees each added three digs
- Voorhees also recorded a service ace, bringing Lynn's match total to four
- Lynn finished with 29 kills, 25 assists, 26 digs and four service aces
- The Fighting Knights hit .118 for the match, while Tampa recorded 36 kills on a .377 hitting percentage
- Tampa held an 11-2 advantage in total blocks and a 33-26 edge in digs
 
UP NEXT:
Lynn is back on the road next weekend as it faces off in SSC play against Saint Leo on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 pm.