Women's Volleyball | 10/12/2003 4:51:00 PM

Box Score MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- The second-ranked Barry University volleyball team toppled the fifth-ranked Tampa Spartans in three games 30-23, 20-17, 30-27 in Sunshine State Conference play earlier today at the Health & Sports Center.

With Tampa (17-3, 6-1 SSC) leading the series between the two rival schools 25-12, the first game began in similar fashion as those in the past with the Spartans jumping out to an early 7-2 lead. However, Barry's Simone Ferrarezi served the the next six points as the Buccaneers (15-2, 7-0 SSC) took the lead 8-7. Behind Fernanda Brino's six kills, the Bucs held on to win game one 30-21.

In game two, the Bucs took the early lead and hit .342 as a team to down the Spartans 30-14 taking a 2-0 lead for the match. The Spartans hit .292 in the final frame while registering 21 kills to the Bucs' 15, but with the support of the 513 Barry fans and a tenacious defense, the Buccaneers pulled out a 30-27 victory for the win.

"I thought we played extremely well today," head coach Dave Nichols said. "Our competitiveness and communication was excellent."

Brino lead the all hitters with 15 kills and a .625 attack percentage, while also registering three service aces and three blocks. Ferrarezi followed with nine kills and Daniela Lanza led the Buccaneer attack with 33 assists.

The Spartans had two register double digits in kills with Amber Langston leading Tampa with 13. Kayla Mora added 10 kills hitting .261 in the Spartan effort. Gretchen Naruta led all setters with 36 assists.

A key win for the Barry, the Bucs move up to the number one spot in the SSC with a 7-0 conference record. The win also gives the Bucs a fighting chance to host NCAA regionals in November.

"In terms of hosting regionals, it was important that we were able to come away with the win in our home gym, but there are still a lot of important matches ahead of us," Nichols said. "If we are able to go to Jacksonville and come away with a win over North Florida this weekend and we are able to hold on the rest of the way, it puts us in a great situation."

With a 15-2 mark on the season, the Buccaneers will resume play on Friday, Oct. 17 in Jacksonville taking on eighth-ranked North Florida at 7 pm.

Short Box Score (Match)
2003 Barry University Buccaneers
#5 Tampa vs #2 Barry (10/12/2003 at Miami Shores, Fla.)

Barry def. Tampa 30-23,30-17,30-27

Tampa (17-3, 6-1 SSC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Amber Langston 13-0-1;
Kayla Mora 10-1-0; Ericka Womack 7-0-3; Stephanie Rivera 6-0-3; Molly
Greenwood 4-0-0; Gretchen Naruta 3-1-0; Yoshiko Ozawa 1-0-1; Totals
44-2-5.0. (Assists) - Gretchen Naruta 36. (Dig leaders) - Ania Ruiz
10; Stephanie Rivera 10; Kayla Mora 9

Barry (15-2, 7-0 SSC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Fernanda Brino 15-3-3;
Simone Ferrarezi 9-0-0; Kelly Dantas 7-0-5; Fernanda Ferreira 6-2-3;
Samanta Tucillo 5-1-2; Daniela Lanza 4-0-4; Totals 46-6-11.0.
(Assists) - Daniela Lanza 33. (Dig leaders) - Simone Ferrarezi 13;
Daniela Lanza 9; Samanta Tucillo 8

Site: Miami Shores, Fla. (Health&Sports Center)
Date: 10/12/2003 Attend: 513 Time: 1:35
Referees: Jim Phillips, Mike Gale