TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2008)  The Nova Southeastern University volleyball team lost 3-0 by the scores of 18-25, 17-25, and 18-25 at No. 6 nationally ranked University of Tampa in their Sunshine State Conference opener on Friday evening. The loss drops the Sharks record to 10-4 overall (0-1 SSC) while Tampa improves to 11-1 (2-1 SSC).

Tampa came out on fire in the first set, posting 12 kills and no errors in 25 attempts for a .480 attack percentage. The Spartans had three players with three kills while Melinda Gorman (Sr., Sarasota, Fla.) kept the hopes up for the Sharks with six kills. NSU hit .029 in the set.

Middle blocker Emily Carle (Sr., Missouri City, Tex.) had four kills in the Sharks 25-17 loss in the second set. Molly Sigerich (Fr., Downers Grove, Ill.) also had four kills for NSU.

The Spartans found a way to shut down NSU in the third set, as the Sharks hit -.120 as a team. Gorman was once again the bright spot for the Sharks, tallying four more kills. In a set marred by errors, each team was only able to post six kills apiece.

Gorman led NSU with 12 kills in the match. Carle and Sigerich followed with four kills. Setter Valia Petrova (Sr., Sofia, Bulgaria) led the team with 18 assists while libero Kathleen Yony (So., Miami, Fla.) had a team high 10 digs.

NSU will remain on the road to play SSC rival Eckerd College at 4 pm on Saturday, Sept. 27th in St. Petersburg, Fla.