BOCA RATON, Fla. —  The 2024 season has come to an end for the Barry University Volleyball team as they fall in the NCAA South Regional Semifinal to third-seeded Tampa. The match ended in four sets with Tampa winning sets one, three and four, and the Bucs taking set two.

One positive did come out of the contest as Barry senior, Diana Akopova, broke the all-time career kills record with her second to last collegiate kill. She now sits alone atop of the leaderboard with 1,685 career kills.

Final: #3 Tampa 3, #2 Barry 1
Records: Tampa (26-4,16-4 SSC), Barry (24-5, 16-4 SSC)
All-Time Series: Tampa leads Barry 51-23

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Set One - The Bucs came out firing the first two points with Akopova and Veronika Eremeeva setting an early tone. After the 11-11 stalemate, the Spartans ran off the set with an 8-0 run. Barry was unable to make their way back into the set. | Barry 19, Tampa 25
• Set Two -  Barry once again found a groove, grabbing some distance at 7-3 with the trio of Akopova, Eremeeva, and Varvara Osychenko all teaming up to record a kill in that span. Tampa rallied to bring it from 24-18 to 24-23, but Thalia Iglesias came in and set up Eremeeva to end the run and close out the set. | Barry 25, Tampa 23
• Set Three - The 12-12 tie seemed to be where things shifted in the set. The Spartans went on to score six of the next seven points to take momentum and eventually close it out to regain the match lead. | Barry 17, Tampa 25
• Set Four - The set break reset favored Barry who came out and earned two quick kills. The lead extended to 5-1 capped off with a service ace from Eremeeva. The Bucs held a healthy lead at 11-5 and were looking to send this match to a fifth set. That waas until Tampa stormed back and went on a 9-1 run to overtake the lead ta 14-12. Barry retuned the favor by overtaking the leaad once again aat 22-17. The Bucs haad set point twice, but were unable to convert as Tampa ultimately closed out the set and match with three straight points. | Barry 25, Tampa 27

NOTEWORTHY:

• Akopova had 31 kills, the second time she has reached the 30+ kill mark this season.
• Her 1,685 kills put her at 7th all-time in the Sunshine State Conference standings.
• Barry finished off the season winning 12 of their last 13.
• The match was tied 26 different times and there was 11 lead changes.
• Barry had more kills (59-55), digs (55-52), and assists (56-54) than Tampa.
• Eremeeva recorded her fourth career double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs.
• Barry is now 34-15 in NCAA Tournament play.