TAMPA, Fla. — Saturday afternoon, Barry volleyball stunned no. 1 Tampa in a road Sunshine State Conference match-up. The Buccaneers swept the previously-unbeaten Spartans in the Martínez Center to hand them their first loss of the season.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: #21 Barry 3, #1 Tampa 0
Records: Tampa (11-1, 3-1 SSC), Barry (12-1, 5-1 SSC)
All-Time Series: Tampa leads Barry 50-22
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Set One - Diana Akopova got the game started with an early kill that sparked a 3-0 run as Jeyhlen Thomas added two kills in the mix. Barry held a steady lead keeping it between 8-9 for most of the set before breaking off to end it at a 13-point difference. The Bucs did not commit a single attacking error swinging a .560 clip on 14 kills. | Barry 25, Tampa 12
- Set Two - Veronica Eremeeva single-handily flipped the scoreboard early with a kill and two service aces to make it 4-2. Akopova's kill at 5-4 turned the tables for good in the set. The trio of Varvara Osychenko, Eremeeva, and Akopova led the way offensively with help from defensive duo Thomas and Ivana Žujovic. Attack errors from Tampa also assisted in the set victory for Barry. | Barry 25, Tampa 16
- Set Three - Barry came out hot with a 4-0 start to set the tone for the final set. Tampa tried having a late comeback but it was out of reach as the Buccaneers cruised to the sweep. | Barry 25, Tampa 21
NOTEWORTHY:
- Barry won four of the five major statistical categories.
- The Bucs defense held Tampa to their worst offense outing of the season in hitting percentage and kills.
- This was the first sweep and victory over the Spartans since 2022, both coming on the road.
- Five different players collected a kill with Akopova leading the way with 14.
- Petra Brkicic led in assists with 16, adding five digs.
- Veronika Eremeeva had 10 kills, two service aces, and two blocks.
- Osychenko had eight kills and seven digs.
ON THE HORIZON:
Barry will stay on the road next week with a trip to Rollins up first on Friday, October 25.
